Middlesbrough are currently enduring a troublesome time in this Championship season. Sitting just above the relegation zone and without a win since New Year’s Day, Boro’ are in danger of slipping out the second tier. It’s a surprise when pre-season hopes were for another run at Premier League promotion. And, things don’t get any easier for Jonathan Woodgate; high-flying Leeds United travelling to the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday night, with Boro’ 19/4 to get a win. In fact, Boro’ are 6/1 to go down.
Given that price, it could be worth taking advantage of the offers at Which Bookie free bet clubs. With the Teesiders in action three times in 10 days, you could yield some impressive returns. Boro’ look a far cry away from the side predicted to trouble the top end of the Championship at the start of the season. As a result, they’ll be in danger of losing some of their best players. And that includes central defender Dael Fry.
Dael Fry: Leader among boys
While currently sidelined with a thigh injury for at least another three weeks, Dael Fry has perhaps been the only shining light for Boro’ this season. Indeed, the Teesiders had to fend off interest from Burnley and Sean Dyche; both in last summer’s transfer window and January’s, where the Lancashire club had bids of around £10m rejected. With Daniel Ayala and Ryan Shotton having to recover from long-term injuries, Fry stepped up to the plate. And, at just 22-years-old, is displaying a maturity that belies his youthful age.
Having had to play alongside makeshift defenders Jonny Howson and Paddy McNair, Fry had to mature incredibly quickly. After his debut on the opening day of Boro’s promotion-winning 2015-6 season, Fry has operated across the back; left-back, wing-back, defensive midfielder, centre-back and now a right-back of a back three under Woodgate. If that’s not versatility, what is?
Asking price
Boro’ slapped a £25m price tag on Fry’s head. So, it remains to be seen if Burnley will pay anywhere near that. Yet, with the arrival of Harold Moukoudi in January and the hope of a permanent deal, the Teesiders could be more likely to cash in on Fry. And, the Clarets could be confident of getting Boro’ to reduce their asking price. They did with defender Ben Gibson – who is now training with Boro’ once more -– in August 2018; buying the centre-back for half the £30m originally asked for
Future England defender?
Dael Fry is hailed as a future England defender; part of every national youth setup from the U17s up to the U21s. In fact, Fry was part of the U17s European Championship winning team in 2014, the U20s World Cup triumph in 2017 and the Toulon Tournament success in 2018. So, he’s not exactly short of England experience. And, with the Three Lions 9/2 for Euro success this year, Fry may well want a piece of that in the future.
That will make it even more difficult for Boro’ to keep a hold on a defender that won’t ply his trade in the Championship much longer. From Berwick Hills, Fry is a local Middlesbrough lad. But that may pale into insignificance if one of the big Premier League boys come calling.
