Middlesbrough spent their fair share of money last season without success but they aren’t in the same situation some of the other clubs who have come down recently are. Aston Villa, Hull City, Norwich City, not great situations overall. Boro don’t have to sell and one key player going forward surely has to be Britt Assombalonga.
The striker was meant to be the player to fire Boro straight back up to the Premier League, one of the best strikers in the division, guaranteed goals surely? It didn’t work out like that though, he did get goals but he didn’t have the impact needed at all. He didn’t get the return needed and he didn’t get the goals that Boro would expect for the money they paid. The fans weren’t always impressed and he certainly didn’t have it easy as the season went on.
He did force his way back into the side towards the end but Patrick Bamford is the number one choice and that’s a huge challenge for Assombalonga because Pulis isn’t really one to go two up front at the minute. He plays the three tight in midfield and he has a wealth of talent in that role so no problems filling it up. Should Assombalonga have allowed himself to get to a stage where he isn’t first choice though? Not really, at a price that big you need to produce the goals, especially when you have a track record of it.
He isn’t the only striker to command a huge fee and he has done better than some others in the division, just look at Aston Villa. Scott Hogan and Ross McCormack, two players Villa have signed that have simply not worked out at all and they are now stuck with them on huge wages and clubs not wanting to splash the cash on them because they have seen what can happen. Getting Assombalonga firing this season would almost be like a new signing for Boro, two questions need to be answered though.
Does Tony Pulis fancy him as the main striker? Is Assombalonga up for the fight?
