Rob Edwards’ best Middlesbrough XI after window includes £6.5m signing and Newcastle United loanee

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Middlesbrough enjoyed a stellar summer transfer window to equip Rob Edwards with the tools to continue their outstanding start to the 2025/26 season.

The last few months at Middlesbrough have been turbulent to say the least since Rob Edwards was chosen as Michael Carrick’s successor.

A poor start to pre-season got the former Luton Town manager off on the wrong foot on Teesside, but some brilliant business in the summer transfer window and a flawless start to the Championship campaign have turned the tide at Boro.

With Boro being the only side to take maximum points from the opening four league clashes, Steve Gibson’s call to appoint Edwards has been proven right after much debate among the fanbase.

When reviewing Middlesbrough’s window after deadline day, Edwards was happy with Middlesbrough’s summer business, and rightly so, given the potential best starting XI at his disposal, which EFL Analysis has picked out.

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Middlesbrough’s best XI for 2025/26 season

GK – Sol Brynn

Goalkeeper is one of the most difficult positions to choose for Boro after Sol Brynn’s impressive start to the season, who has conceded just one goal and kept three clean sheets.

Seny Dieng was close to a move to Hearts ahead of deadline day and is sidelined until mid-October, meaning Brynn deserves a longer run in the team to nail down the number one role.

RWB – Callum Brittain

The right wing-back role almost chooses itself after Boro signed Callum Brittain for £3.5m from Blackburn Rovers ahead of Derby County.

CB – Luke Ayling

With the arrival of Brittain, former Leeds United stalwart Luke Ayling could have feared reduced game time this season, but his experience and defensive acumen have been impressive thus far on the right side of Edwards’ three centre-backs.

CB – Dael Fry

Middlesbrough veteran Dael Fry managed only 21 Championship outings last season, but has made an outstanding start to the season at the heart of Boro’s defence, and scored the decisive goal on opening day against Swansea City.

CB – Alfie Jones

Another window capture, Middlesbrough signed Alfie Jones from Hull City this summer, and the towering defender has slotted into Edwards’ system with aplomb and scored in the 3-0 hammering of Millwall last month.

LWB – Matt Targett

Middlesbrough signed Matt Targett on loan from North East rivals Newcastle United recently, and the full-back, who cost the Magpies £15m and was highly rated by Eddie Howe, is primed to make a real impression on the left side of Edwards’ defence.

CM – Aidan Morris

Although Middlesbrough signed Sverre Nypan on loan from Manchester City and Alan Browne on loan from Sunderland, the central midfield duo may find minutes hard to come by if Aidan Morris keeps up his early season form throughout the campaign.

CM – Hayden Hackney

Morris’ central midfield partner-in-crime Hayden Hackney is the first name on Edwards’ team sheet, and the Boro boss will have been elated to see the Riverside hierarchy retain the homegrown maestro beyond deadline day after Wolves eyed a late move for Hackney.

AM – Morgan Whittaker

Morgan Whittaker is finally starting to prove why Boro shelled out a £5m fee to Plymouth Argyle for his services in January, after starting the campaign with two assists in four games.

Competition in the attacking roles is fierce after Boro signed Sontje Hansen, and with Delano Burgzorg pushing for minutes, but Whittaker should prove to be the best option for Edwards.

ST – Tommy Conway

Boro’s top goalscorer last season, Tommy Conway, will clearly be one of the first names on Edwards’ team sheet with his 13-goal form of 2024/25 continuing this term after the Scotsman bagged two goals in the opening exchanges.

ST – David Strelec

After being linked as far back as January, Boro completed the signing of Slovakian striker David Strelec for an initial £6.5m with £2m in potential add-ons for the ex-Slovan Bratislava ace.

Last season, Strelec scored 25 goals and notched eight assists for Slovan Bratislava in 47 outings – with five goals and three assists in the Champions League – and a slight change of system could see the £6.5m man and Conway form one of the deadliest duos in the Championship.