The 25-man squad is quite a complex arrangement and quite often the rules are not clearly stated and differ slightly in the PL, Championship and EFL. As far as I understand loan players under 21 outside of the Premier League still have to be registered. In Leagues One and Two, goalkeepers of any age don't need to be registered but in the Championship they do unless under 21.
Normally, the 25-man squad list has to be submitted 24 hours after the transfer deadline and then that runs until the next transfer window opens - so something of grey area during the window where in theory the list could be changed.
At the moment Boro have 25 players registered with Jones being one of those for now - note Alex Bangura was not included in this list nor was Matthew Hoppe. here's the list
1 Seny Dieng
2 Sol Brynn
3 Tom Glover
4 Tommy Smith
5 Luke Ayling
6 Anfernee Dijksteel
7 Matt Clarke
8 Dael Fry
9 Darragh Lenihan
10 George Edmundson
11 Neto Borges
12 Lukas Engel
13 Hayden Hackney
14 Aidan Morris
15 Jonny Howson
16 Dan Barlaser
17 Isaiah Jones
18 Ben Doak
19 Marcus Forss
20 Finn Azaz
21 Alex Gilbert
22 Delano Burgzorg
23 Riley McGree
24 Emmanuel Latte Lath
25 Tommy Conway
I should add that both Rav van den Berg and Micah Hamilton didn't need to be registered as they are both under 21 at the time of registering - as of course are Law McCabe, George McCormick and Sonny Finch.
Though Hamilton turned 21 in November so not sure if he will qualify for the next squad at end of January? Rav turns 21 in July so will be OK.
Still that's essentially a squad of 30 (OK 28 minus Smith and Lenihan) players with those 5 so lots to choose from for Carrick!
*Clarification: Just checked and under 21 for 2024-25 season is defined by a player being under 21 on 1 January 2024 - so Rav should also qualify as under 21 for next season too.
Just seen on blue-sky
Re ELL,does Graham Potter, who's apparently just been appointed as the sacked Julen Lopetegui's replacement at West Ham, have any say in the impending transfer?
Comment from today's Metro in an article reporting on the confirmation of Graham Potter as the new Hammers manager:
Potter's spell at Stamford Bridge lasted only seven months, his time in west London defined by inconsistent results and turmoil off the pitch after a whirlwind recruitment drive left him with a bloated, inexperienced squad.
(my bold)
SAD NEWS
BREAKING Dean wIndass diagnosed with dementia at 55 as ex-Premier
League star speaks out
Dean Windass has been diagnosed with dementia at the age of 55 as fans have sent messages of support to the former Hull City, Bradford City, Middlesbrough and Aberdeen forward
OFB
Sky transfer centre reporting that deal for IJ from Boro to Luton has been completed and player registered in time to play in FA cup against Notts Forest. Wish him well. 😎
You can even see photos of Jones in all 3 Luton shirts if you want 🤔
https://www.lutontown.co.uk/en/news/isaiah-jones-joins-the-hatters
According To Reports in Bulgaria
Middlesbrough Are Interested In A January Move For Levski Sofia’s 21-Year Old Attacking Midfielder Marin Petkov.
OFB
Pity to see Jones leaving. I liked him as a player and a person. I wish him all the best at Luton and hope they do not end relageted like Sunderland did after coming down from the Premier League.You can even see photos of Jones in all 3 Luton shirts if you want 🤔
https://www.lutontown.co.uk/en/news/isaiah-jones-joins-the-hatters
Isaiah has not played much recently, perhaps he needs a change and a new environment. And he is closer to his home and friends in London now.
I think we all loved seeing a non-league player to play well for Boro. I love to see that these kind of "miracles" are still happening in modern football. It is encouraging for other young players out there.
And Boro made good business also. I hope we paid something for him and helping Tooting & Mitcham to exist. It was 2019 when Jones joined us after helping his former club to a 6th-place finish in the Isthmian South Central Division (level 7).
All the best, Isaiah. Exceptionally well done and well played for the Boro!
Up the Boro!
@jarkko very nicely put Jarkko. It would be good if Tooting and Mitcham will get some slice of our profit, but I suspect we might never know.
I wish him well. He was a great signing for us and has given us some great memories. I did begin to wonder that he had reached his peak with us and was not developing further, so it will be interesting how he will fare with the Hatters. The change might inspire him, but it is telling, the status of the clubs that were in for his service.
The timing is disruptive for us. That is the nature of this confounded transfer window schedule. I hope we see something positive for Boro sooner rather than later.
@jarkko
I read that Jones has had some mental issues this last year or so after losing 7 family members and I think moving back south will be helpful for him
OFB
Dom Shaw on MC's views on Micah Hamilton for the rest of the season:
Middlesbrough Are One Of A Host Of Championship Clubs & Clubs Around Europe That Are Interested in a Loan Move for Burnley Defender Hjalmar Ekdal.
OFB
Atlanta United submitted an official bid to Middlesbrough for forward, Emmanuel Latte Lath. The offer is worth around €18m including €1m in add-ons + important salary proposal to Latte Lath. (£15m in UK Pounds Sterling) (Luca Badoni - Sky Sports Italia)
OFB
Can't see that move happening as the MLS season doesn't even start until the end of February and the fee is not going to tempt Boro either.
Northern Echo pretty strong with it
ATLANTA United are the first club to officially firm up their interest in Middlesbrough's Emmanuel Latte Lath with a bid for the striker.
The MLS club are understood to have offered more than £18m, with the deal on the table potentially worth around £20m including add-ons.
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Boro flyer set for Premier League switch
Middlesbrough loan star Ben Doak could move to the Premier League this month, with the teenage Liverpool winger set to pick between Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Ipswich. (Football League World).
I hope this is just - rumours. But this is more tricky than Latte Lath as we cannot control the fee with a loan player.
Up the Boro!
The Liverpool Echo says, that Liverpool are reportedly one of the Premier League clubs showing interest in the Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo as the club are bracing for transfer bids this month. The 25-year-old's performances for the Cherries this season have put him on the radar of clubs.
He has been poised for a high-profile transfer and besides Liverpool, Newcastle United have also been credited with an interest. However, Bournemouth's reported interest in Ben Doak, who is currently on loan at Middlesbrough, could help facilitate a move for Semenyo, according to the Daily Star.
It's said the 19-year-old winger might be considered for a swap if Bournemouth are approached.
So more rumours, ifs and buts. Enjoy the transfer window. Up the Boro!
#Boro are reportedly interested in a loan move for Burnley defender Hjalmar Ekdal
OFB
I wonder why? He's a centre-back who hasn't been able to hold down a place at Burnley. Seems idiotic to me, and Carrick has already pushed back on the rumour last week.
Another centre back should be the lowest on our list of priorities.
@original-fat-bob. Do we need another CB? Unless this signals that Lenihan will not return and they want to recruit a younger CB instead of Clarke/Edmundson.
Another LB and RB is a greater priority for me. 😎
@original-fat-bob I think we have too many defenders at the moment. Five centre-backs (Leninhan included), three right-backs (including Smith) and three left-backs (including Bangura). And then we also have George McCormick, who can play all over the defence, also left-back.
So I think this rumour is not true. Difficult to fit in our 25 named players for the league. I rather see a loan for a goalkeeper like Bournemouth's Mark Travers. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cly9gz7m0exo
Up the Boro!
Lathe should be sold now, we don't need a soap opera were we end up with a discruntled player mooching around the dressing room, infact any optimum offer for anyone , get the money you then have six months to replace and reset . I don't think promotion is on however once the weather picks up, some players will start performing, the fairweather ones I'm talking about
Sam Silvera has been recalled from Portsmouth and has joined Blackpool on loan for the remainder of the season ↔️ #UTB
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If I'm Steve Gibson ,I'm starting to wonder what's going on here , I dare say the value of every player since the start of the season as dropped minimum 20% , some more , he won't like that, if the model is what they say it is, and that's substantial profit. Who goes first.
Poor Aaron Connolly. The Echo is reporting that his unsuccessful spell at Sunderland appears to be coming to a premature end, with the forward on the verge of joining Championship rivals Millwall.
Connolly has been discussing a short-term deal at the Den, where he has been offered the chance to work under former Black Cats boss Alex Neil.
The Sunderland hierarchy are willing to consider a mutual termination of the Irishman’s contract at the Stadium of Light, with Connolly having signed a deal to the end of the season when he joined Sunderland as a free agent in late September.
Last season he tried at Hull, now Millwall. Does he has a problem in settling in ...
Up the Boro!
Hull City defender Ryan Giles could yet leave the club before the end of the January transfer window, with Middlesbrough plotting to test the Tigers' resolve once more.
Boro had string interest in the summer, having extensive discussions with City about doing a deal for the left-back.
That interest from Michael Carrick has never gone away and it's understood Boro will lodge a firm bid for the 24-year-old to try and bring him back to Teesside before the winter window closes.
OFB
Just read about that but I hope that's just another 2 + 2 = 4 with 4 being the number of left-backs the club would then have.
The article that mentions the possibility of Giles returning to Boro goes onto to comment that he has struggled defensively this season at Hull - the last thing Boro need is another left-back that can't defend! If we're signing him for his previous potential to cross balls then maybe we'd be better off signing a proper left-footed left-winger.
I wonder if Boro should take a punt on a loan for Liverpool's young striker Jayden Danns who scored against Accrington in the FA Cup - I've seen him a couple of times and has always looked a handful - he turns 19 on Thursday but hasn't played in the PL this season so is probably available. He's 6' 1" and plays with a smile on his face and a confident swagger. He suffered an injury in pre-season after a promising 2023-24 and returned to training in December and now looks back to fitness.