"Done that before" - Ray Parlour's transfer prediction on Middlesbrough, Michael Carrick targets | OneFootball

Ray Parlour believes Middlesbrough need a midfielder or two, and expects Michael Carrick to utilise the loan market once again.

TalkSPORT pundit Ray Parlour has predicted Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick will lean on his Premier League contact book and make loan signings late in the summer transfer window.

Boro appointed the former Manchester United favourite in October 2022 and it has turned out to be an inspired decision.

Despite Carrick's side sitting outside of the play-off places for the majority of last season, he has earned plenty of plaudits for his work in transforming Boro over the course of nearly two years now, not least due to the turnover of some of the club's best players during that time as well.

The Teessiders ended the 2022/23 season on 75 points to secure a place in the top six, with multiple players having benefited due to the switch from Chris Wilder to Carrick - with his more possession-heavy and attack-minded philosophy.

They ended up losing out in the play-offs and his new-look side were looking to go one better in the 2023/24 campaign under Carrick, with promotion the goal yet again for his side. Despite ultimately falling short last term, in part due to an ever-growing injury list over the course of the season, there will remain optimism that they can make the cut in 2024/25 instead.

Boro were excellent at making the most of the loan market two seasons ago, having signed the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Ryan Giles, and Cameron Archer. That perhaps explains some of their issues last year, as they needed to replace plenty of their best loan players and outgoings, such as Chuba Akpom.

Ray Parlour makes 2024/25 Middlesbrough prediction

It didn't help matters that Middlesbrough began the last couple of campaigns fairly slowly. However, their end to the season will have given them plenty of hope heading into next season. Not only that, but having a more settled squad could help them to hit the ground running this time around, with less churn than the previous two summers.

Aidan Morris, Luke Ayling, and Delano Burgzorg have bolstered Carrick's ranks, whilst they have only lost five players so far as well: Paddy McNair, Liam Roberts, Hayden Coulson, Jamie Jones, and Sam Silvera on a loan deal to Portsmouth.

Parlour believes there is more to come from his former club, where he played 60 times for them himself between 2004 and 2007. He expects that they will be in line for some of the best Premier League loans once again next season and has backed their manager to make the most of his top flight links.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, via Netbet Sports Betting, he said: "He has done that before, and I expect him to do that again.

"Plus, with Boro expected to be challenging, a young player should be looking at this option."

He explained that midfield is an area that he would look to strengthen further, despite the signing of Morris. Parlour added: "I think boosting the midfield is key, to get players who can dominate the game.

"Striking options improved towards the end of last season, so this is a good sign, but the midfield is going to be key to win the key battles.

"It’s such a tough season, you need strength in depth here to earn the right to play."

The very best of the loan market is one of the most optimal ways for Championship clubs to improve their squads in the transfer window, and Boro now have a proven track record of giving youngsters chances to develop.

Premier League teams will look at that and surely favour sending an up and coming player to the Riverside to cut their teeth under the former England midfielder.

Under Carrick, they are expected to be a side challenging for the play-offs, if not in and around the automatic promotion places. Those two reasons are part of why they will be able to attract the better young top-flight players, which can give them an edge over their second tier peers.

There is also uncertainty regarding plenty of players at the likes of Luton Town and Sheffield United, but especially at both Leeds United and Burnley. A good start this season with a settled side could serve Middlesbrough well, especially if one or two top loans add that extra required quality to hit the ground running.