Giles in: Middlesbrough's dream XI for next season ft 3 realistic signings | OneFootball

Middlesbrough came close to sneaking into the play-off places last season, but a poor start to the season saw crucial points slip through their fingers.

However, fans remain largely optimistic and confident that under the management of head coach Michael Carrick, the club is creeping ever closer to Premier League football once again.

The Boro boss, alongside head of football Kieran Scott, has built a well-balanced squad that includes both young, exciting players and veteran campaigners who have been there and got the t-shirt.

Therefore, there's a real sense of belief that with the right additions this summer, Boro can be competing right at the top of the division next season, as multiple successful transfer windows have built up a squad that is about ready to deliver promotion.

Football League World builds what could be seen as a dream starting XI for Carrick to work with in 2024/25, with a couple of realistic additions thrown in.

GK - Seny Dieng

Whilst there was the odd mistake in his game last season, Senegal international Seny Dieng has proven himself a good Championship goalkeeper over the years.

Sometimes to his detriment, Dieng is a keeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, but can fire a ball from his box into the feet of an attacker with excellent precision too.

It's this confident, ball-playing goalkeeper that Carrick has evidently wanted in his team, as was seen with Dieng's predecessor in Zack Steffen too.

Boro could face a task keeping hold of the 29-year-old this summer too, with The Telegraph previously reporting that Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town and Sevilla all held an interest in acquiring Dieng's services this summer.

RB - Luke Ayling

If any Middlesbrough fan tells you that they predicted Luke Ayling would register eight assists in 19 Championship matches during his Boro loan spell last season, they'd be lying to you.

Seen as a mere stop-gap signing at a position that saw Carrick's two right-back options, Tommy Smith and Anfernee Dijksteel experience injury problems, the 32-year-old full-back was expected to be a solid starter, and probably nothing more.

Instead, the former Leeds United man turned in performances that already place him among Boro's best right-backs in recent times, and made signing him to a two-year contract an absolute no-brainer.

CB - Rav van den Berg

There's every chance that in a couple of years down the line, Rav van den Berg will go down as Middlesbrough's new club record for a transfer fee received.

Not turning 20 until 7 July this year, Van Den Berg is one of the most talented young players to arrive on Teesside in many a year, and is undoubtedly one of the hottest prospects in English football outside the Premier League.

His performances, however, have not gone unnoticed. Spurs are said to have made the Dutch youth international a transfer target this summer, but the player himself has reaffirmed that he's happy on Teesside, and isn't pushing for a move away.

CB - Darragh Lenihan

Somewhat of a forgotten man at the club due to injury absence, Darragh Lenihan was only able to make eight Championship appearances for Boro last season.

His debut season prior, however, enabled the Irish international to show that he's one of the best central defenders in the second tier, having played 43 times in the league during the 22/23 campaign.

Carrick is going to have a real headache in terms of deciding whether to partner Van Den Berg with either Clarke or Lenihan, as either option would be a quality pairing at second tier level.

LB - Ryan Giles

Despite Lukas Engel improving as the season went on in his debut campaign in English football, the prospect of adding Ryan Giles back into a Middlesbrough team is one that is too good to pass up on.

According to the Northern Echo, Boro are hoping to capitalise on the uncertainty at Hull City, where he spent last season on loan and who have a £4 million option to buy, by re-signing him this summer.

His 11 assists led the league during the 2022/23 season, a year in which the former Wolves left-back became one of the most feared wide players in the division.

Carrick is the manager who's gotten the best out of him so far, and there's no reason to believe he wouldn't again. A partnership between Giles and Emmanuel Latte Lath could be deadly next season.

CM - Hayden Hackney

One of the most talented players to come through Middlesbrough's academy system in many years, Hayden Hackney is such a classy player in the centre of Boro's midfield.

Injury robbed him of more games than he, and Middlesbrough fans would've wanted to see him play in last year, but he should be back better than ever next season.

Top Premier League clubs such as Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool have all been credited with an interest in the past, but Boro will be confident the England youth international sees his future on Teesside.

CM - Aidan Morris

Boro's first big transfer breakthrough of the summer, USA international Aidan Morris has reportedly agreed a $4m (£3.1m) deal to join Middlesbrough from Columbus Crew.

The industrious, ball-playing midfielder could be a massive addition to Carrick's engine room, and despite the evergreen Jonny Howson still likely to start in midfield next season, Boro undoubtedly have identified the 22-year-old as his long-term replacement.

LM - Sorba Thomas

One aspect of Carrick's side that truly prevented them scoring enough goals throughout the season last year, was creativity from wide areas.

In the form of Huddersfield Town's Sorba Thomas, however, there is a solution out there. Only Ipswich's assist machine Leif Davis (125) created more chances than the Welsh international's 123 in the second tier last season.

His arrival - which could cost as little as £750k after the Terriers' relegation - could provide the cutting edge that Boro lacked last campaign, in what could be an attack that is too hot to handle for most opposition defences.

RM - Isaiah Jones

Isaiah Jones was comfortably Middlesbrough's most creative wide player last season, with eight goals and four assists in 35 games.

His final ball does need to improve at times, but it's undeniable that Boro look a less threatening team without him in the side.

Jones should be a key figure once again next season, as he looks to keep providing the attacking output required.

CAM - Finn Azaz

Another player who only continued to improve as last season went on, Irish international Finn Azaz is a versatile attacking player who Carrick will see endless potential in.

Comfortable through the middle, or out wide, the 23-year-old registered four goals and five assists in 20 Championship games for Boro last season, and ended the 23/24 campaign with 11 goals and 10 assists all together including his time at Plymouth.

Azaz has firmly nailed down a starting role in Carrick's squad going forward, and could be a big part of any Middlesbrough success next season.

ST - Emmanuel Latte Lath

There wasn't many strikers in the EFL that ended 2023/24 in a richer vein of form than Boro's Ivorian international, Latte Lath.

The 25-year-old bagged 16 goals in 30 Championship appearances last season, and the hope is he will only continue to improve.

Middlesbrough have recently knocked back a £12m enquiry from an unnamed club, and have no intention of selling their key players this summer.