Why Middlesbrough have done a brilliant job by signing Sam McQueen on loan
EFL Championship side Middlesbrough have signed full-back Sam McQueen on loan for the remainder of the season from Premier League outfit Southampton. (BBC)
The 23-year old becomes the sixth arrival at the Teesside outfit this summer, following the signings of Aden Flint, Paddy McNair, Andy Lonergan, Muhamed Besic (loan) and Jordan Hugill (loan).
Under Tony Pulis, Boro have turned into a formidable team and came close to achieving promotion last season, only to falter in the playoff semifinals. They have begun the new campaign on a strong note – sitting second in the Championship table behind leaders Leeds United. In addition, they have also made it to the third round of the Carabao Cup as well.
While the Middlesbrough squad did have a strong, well-balanced look to it, the need for added competition and cover at the left-back slot was obvious. Apart from the 30-year old George Friend, Pulis did not have another left-sided full-back at his disposal in the squad.
And McQueen’s arrival a day before the loan window closed in England addresses that perfectly. The 23-year-old is a product of Southampton’s reputed academy that has churned out talents like Gareth Bale, Luke Shaw and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in recent times.
Having spent the second half of the 2015/16 campaign on loan at Southend United, where he scored and assisted two goals apiece in just 18 games, McQueen got his first extended run in the senior team in the 2016/17 term under then manager Claude Puel.
He went on to make 20 first-team appearances for the Saints that season, making a solid impression. He was limited to just six appearances in the last campaign, however, following Puel’s departure from the St. Mary’s. Nevertheless, McQueen continued to shine with the reserves.
The youngster’s arrival at Riverside Stadium provides Pulis with quality cover at left-back, while the 23-year-old England youth international will also be an option for advanced positions down the left-flank. Indeed, McQueen started out as a left-winger during his youth team days, until he was turned into a defender by Puel during his time at Southampton.
Strong in the air and in tackles, the Englishman possesses the energy and stamina needed to maraud up and down the flanks all day. His defensive nous, coupled with his natural attacking instincts and the ability to chip in with a goal every now and then, makes him a great addition to Boro.
With Pulis often utilizing a 3-5-2 setup in the new campaign, the 23-year-old has everything needed to make the left wing-back slot his own – defensive solidity, attacking impetus and the ability to create chances and score a few himself.
