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Middlesbrough begin Championship life under Rob Edwards with their opening weekend clash against Swansea City.
Middlesbrough host Swansea City on Saturday as both sides kick off their 2025/26 Championship seasons.
After ending last season in a positive run of form under Alan Sheehan, the feeling for the Welsh giants is positive about impacting the play-off places this season.
However, following the appointment of Rob Edwards, the mood is less optimistic on Teesside after the club’s slow start to the summer window.
With the 2025/26 Championship campaign only days away, Middlesbrough fans will be hoping one EFL expert’s worrying prediction does not come true.
EFL expert details issues in Rob Edwards’ Middlesbrough squad
Much of the debate regarding Edwards’ appointment at Middlesbrough this summer, in the wake of Michael Carrick’s sacking, has been centred around his style of play and formation.
Edwards’ style of play at Boro has been questioned following his arrival, given that his football philosophy and three-at-the-back formation is vastly different to his predecessor, with the squad he inherited built in Carrick’s image.
So far this summer, Middlesbrough have signed Alfie Jones, Abdoulaye Kante, and Callum Brittain, but EFL expert Ali Maxwell believes “serious issues” remain in Edwards’ squad.
Maxwell told the Not The Top 20 podcast: “In 15th, we’ve got Middlesbrough. So why 15th? Well, what I perceive to be pretty serious squad issues aren’t fixed by a change of manager in my opinion.
“I think their goalkeeping department is nothing special at best. I think their centre-back department is fairly well-stocked, lots of recognisable names, quite a lot of experience.
“The centre-backs should do better as a unit in a better structure, and Carrick never achieved finding defensive solidity with this Boro team and finding that balance.
“It looks like he’s going to be playing a three-at-the-back formation. I don’t think this squad suits that at all at the moment, so there’s, in my eyes, tonnes of work to do if that’s the shape they’re going to play.
“In midfield, Morris is class, a brilliant signing. If Hackney goes, he hasn’t got a huge amount around him, but I’m sure they’ll bring players in.
“The front line I’m not a massive fan of to be honest, either individually or their blend as a unit. They were really poor in the second half of last season.
“With the (potential) Hackney sale, I guess we can expect some big signings to come in and I’ll be excited about that and that might have a big difference on my outlook when it comes to Boro.
“But, it is getting quite late now to add four, five, six starters and pick up points and a decent lick at the start of the season.
“So maybe a new voice and a new style and a new approach will get Boro back towards play-off chasing, which should be the expectation really, but I don’t think it’s a top-half squad right now.”
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Incoming Middlesbrough signing will solve glaring issue for Rob Edwards
After Middlesbrough won the race for Brittain, reports emerged that Boro have targeted a wing-back for the opposite flank.
Middlesbrough have bid £2.25m for Max Arfsten, in a deal which would see the highly rated Columbus Crew defender fill the need for full-back recruits.
After Middlesbrough lost out on Alfie Doughty following his Millwall move, 24-year-old Arfsten would be an impressive second choice addition for Edwards.
USMNT international Arfsten has made 20 appearances for Columbus Crew in the MLS so far this season, scoring four goals and notching three assists, with his output pointing towards him being well-suited to the attacking demands Edwards sets for his wing-backs.
As Maxwell alluded to, more Middlesbrough signings in key positions will be the difference maker in Edwards’ maiden campaign in charge.