Middlesbrough deal with Leeds United feels less likely as each week passes: View | OneFootball

Highlights

Sam Greenwood started the season in fine form for Middlesbrough and looked like a great addition to Michael Carrick’s squad, but the Leeds United loanee has struggled to recreate those heights since Christmas.

Four goals in his first 12 appearances on Teesside - including a strike against North East rivals Sunderland and vital goals in wins over Norwich City and Championship leaders Leicester City - endeared him to the Boro faithful early doors.

But ever since finding the net in a 2-1 victory over Swansea City in mid-December, the 22-year-old’s form has hit a rut, with no goal in any of his last 12 matches in all competitions.

Leeds United loanee Greenwood finding it rough at The Riverside

Greenwood’s form has coincided with a poor run of results for Boro, who have just one victory in their last seven matches in all competitions; albeit an impressive success over Leicester once again to complete the double over Enzo Maresca’s side.

The young attacker only featured as a substitute with 20 minutes left to play at the King Power Stadium; further highlighting his lack of game time at The Riverside.

It seems that boss Carrick is putting his faith in January arrival Finn Azaz after the midfielder’s arrival from Aston Villa last month, after an impressive loan spell at fellow Championship side Plymouth Argyle in the first half of the season.

That has spelled bad news for Greenwood, who looks to have run out of puff after his early season form.

If you compare the stats from his first two months at the club compared to now on FBRef, you can see a drop off in the effectiveness of the Leeds United youngster as the campaign has progressed.

Greenwood’s involvement in games was far higher at the start of the season; with a number of matches where he attempts over 20 passes during the 90 minutes and over 20 carries, highlighting his ability at protecting the ball in possession and bringing it up the pitch.

His performance in a 2-0 win at home to Cardiff was a standout in those early performances; with a season-high 34 carries and 22 successful passes showcasing his key position in Carrick’s setup.

Compare those stats to those of the last two months since Christmas, and only once has he even attempted 20 passes in those ten league matches, while his 2024-high 22 carries in a home match against Rotherham United isn’t up to his early season standards either.

After being used from the left in the early stages of the season, Carrick has used the 22-year-old more centrally in attack, as well as dropping deeper into a midfield role in recent weeks; although neither of which seem to be reaping rewards.

This dip in form begs the question as to whether Boro will look to trigger their Greenwood option.

Sam Greenwood contract information

Greenwood’s performances at the start of the season earned him plenty of admirers from the upper echelons of the Championship, as well as Premier League clubs.

TeamTalk reported that West Ham, Crystal Palace and Leicester City were all sniffing around the midfielder, who has the option of joining Boro on a reported £1.5 million permanent deal in the summer.

But that interest is sure to have dropped off in recent months as the young star’s form has dipped, leaving a big question mark over his future going past the summer of 2024.

His contract at Leeds runs until the summer of 2026, but with Daniel Farke’s side willing to loan him to a Championship rival this season, it seems unlikely that he features in their future plans - especially with hopes of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

It could well be that Boro’s system in the second half of the season just hasn’t clicked for Greenwood - he seems to have been the floating part of the puzzle after the January arrivals staked their claim for a starting berth.

A change of scenery could do the player some good because he is still at an age where he is developing and needs the game time to do so. Another Championship club would swoop for him in the summer, no question, but he seems unable to find his place in Carrick’s system this year.