The 5 Middlesbrough players likely to never play for the club again | OneFootball

With the Championsip season now over, Middlesbrough can start to look ahead to the 2024/25 campaign.

In truth, that is one that those at The Riverside Stadium ought to have been planning for over the past few weeks, during which time it has been confirmed they will not be making the play-offs this season.

Even so, with Michael Carrick's side having also comfortably secured a top-half spot, they will be keen to mount a fresh push for a top six spot next time round.

To do that, there will have to be changes at the club in the transfer market, with new signings coming in to strengthen the squad further.

In order for Middlesbrough to make those additions, others players will have to move on to create space in the squad and budget.

So with that in mind, we've taken a look at five players who, with the season now over, have surely played their last game for 'Boro.

Liam Roberts

Roberts joined Middlesbrough on a free transfer in the summer of 2022, but made just a handful of apperances for the club last season.

That saw him loaned out at the start of this season, with the goalkeeper joining League One side Barnsley. Since then, 'Boro have signed two other 'keeper on loan-term deals in Seny Dieng and Tom Glover, while they have two promising young options in that position currently impressing during their own loan spells, in Sol Brynn and Zach Hemming.

As a result, with Roberts' contract at The Riverside set to expire this summer, it would not make a great deal of sense to extend it, especially when the 29-year-old has seemingly suggested he would like to stay at Barnsley beyond the end of this season.

Jamie Jones

Another goalkeeper to arrive at Middlesbrough this summer amid the departure of Roberts was Jamie Jones, who signed on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Wigan Athletic.

However, the 35-year-old did not make a single appearance over the course of the campaign, and only signed a one-year deal in the summer, meaning he is now again out of contract.

Given his lack of involvement and the various other options available to Carrick, it would be a surprise if there was to be a new contract for Jones to give him the chance to actually play a game for the club.

Anfernee Dijksteel

It will be interesting to see how things play out in the right-back position at Middlesbrough over the summer. Luke Ayling has largely made that role his since arriving on loan from Leeds United in the January transfer window.

As a result, 'Boro will no doubt be looking to bring him back for next season. If they manage to do that, then with Tommy Smith also set to return from a long injury layoff, Anfernee Dijksteel could find himself some way down the pecking order.

Should that prove to be the case, then with his contract set to enter its final 12 months in the summer, the club may be inclined to cash in on the Suriname international while they have the chance.

Paddy McNair

McNair is now one of the longest serving players at The Riverside Stadium, having made the move there all the way back in the summer of 2018.

However, this season has seen the Northern Ireland international largely reduced to a bit-part or cover role for Carrick's side, suggesting he is now down the pecking order.

With that in mind, given his Middlesbrough contract is due to expire in the summer, and the fact there have seemingly been no assurances given around his future, it may be no surprise if McNair does bid a fond farewell to the club in the next few weeks.

Hayden Coulson

Coulson has found it hard to establish himself at Middlesbrough in recent years, instead finding himself sent out on several loan spells elsewhere.

The latest of those saw him join League One side Blackpool back in January, and he has since impressed there. Indeed, Seasides boss Neil Critchley recently admitted that talks over a move to bring the left-back to Bloomfield Road on a permanent basis in the summer were already underway.

Given the fact that Coulson is out of contract at the end of next season - which could make this their final chance to cash in on him - and his lack of involvement at The Riverside recently, it may be no surprise if 'Boro did agree to do that deal, which would also the player himself to settle in one place after so many loans in the past few seasons.