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Middlesbrough have stormed to the summit of the Championship table, with one highly discussed signing still to make his debut.
Middlesbrough have made a “brilliant” start to the Championship season under summer head coach appointment Rob Edwards.
Four wins from their four opening league outings left Boro at the top of the table heading into the international break.
With Championship action finally set to resume this weekend, Middlesbrough travel to Preston North End on Saturday afternoon, looking to continue their early-season form.
One late summer window signing could be in line for his Boro debut at Deepdale, and the Middlesbrough faithful will be desperate to see the ‘missing piece of Edwards’ jigsaw’ in action after his stunning displays on international duty.
Championship experts praise Middlesbrough’s signing of David Strelec
Edwards was happy with Middlesbrough’s business this summer, and rightly so given the calibre of players added to his table-topping squad.
Premier League loan swoops for Matt Targett of Newcastle United and Sunderland midfielder Alan Browne were impressive coups for Boro, but the £6.5m signing of striker David Strelec is proving to be their best bit of business.
One expert hailed the ability of Strelec after his Middlesbrough move, and the Slovakian international striker has proven that praise to be correct during the international break.
Middlesbrough fans hailed Strelec after the new signing scored and assisted in a 2-0 World Cup qualifier win over Germany, and the Slovakian star is said to be Boro’s signing of the summer.
Reporter Elliot Jackson told The Championship Chat Podcast: “It’s not been an easy summer for Boro because they were very late with their recruitment.
“They have made some good signings, but the one that’s currently going viral is Slovakian forward, the signing from Bratislava, David Strelec, who they’ve bought for big money, because he scored an absolute worldie against Germany.
Journalist George Smith replied: “He certainly did. He took it really well, didn’t he? It was an absolute beauty.
“He looks a player based on that evidence. I mean, they’ve paid big money for him, they’ve invested a lot of money in this guy, and they clearly think there’s something there.
“And his goal against Germany last week suggests that there is something there, absolutely.
“I would go as far as saying that deadline day signing was probably the missing piece in the jigsaw for Rob Edwards.”
Championship rivals will fear facing David Strelec at Middlesbrough
Strelec proved he is capable of starring on the international stage with his outstanding performance against Germany.
After the window, Edwards’ best Middlesbrough XI undoubtedly will include the left-footed frontman, who could form a deadly partnership with Boro striker Tommy Conway.
With Edwards’ back-three system and footballing philosophy proving to be a hit so far at Middlesbrough, adding in a striker who scored 25 goals in all competitions last season to the mix will be a fearful proposition for their second tier rivals.
Buoyed by his headline-grabbing goal against Germany last week, Edwards will be hoping Strelec can continue his impressive form and kick Boro’s promotion push into yet another gear.