Middlesbrough Opinion: Boro should try and win the race for Jonas Knudsen
According to the East Anglian Daily Times, Middlesbrough have rekindled their interest in Ipswich Town’s out-of-contract Danish international left-back Jonas Knudsen, with a view to a potential transfer in the summer.
East Anglian Daily Times also understands that Bundesliga outfits Freiburg and Fortuna Dusseldorf, as well as 13-time Danish champions FC Copenhagen, are also interested in getting the 26-year-old on board when his contract at Portman Road expires in a month’s time.
Knudsen featured sporadically for the Tractor Boys in the second half of this past season after making it clear to manager Paul Lambert that he wasn’t going to sign a new contract.
The Dane was one of the shining lights of Ipswich’s rather disappointing campaign in the Championship this season, as Lambert’s side finished rock-bottom in the standings and got relegated to the third-tier.
Signed from Danish club Esbjerg back in 2015, Knudsen spent four seasons at Portman Road and made a total of 155 appearances in all competitions, scoring on 4 occasions and setting up another 9 in the process.
A regular for Denmark at all youth levels upto U-21, Knudsen has also accumulated 6 senior international caps under his belt and was a part of the squad that took part at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia last summer.
Middlesbrough are yet to appoint a new full-time manager since the dismissal of Tony Pulis but the club’s links with Jonas Knudsen is a clear indication of the fact that Boro are keen to make a strong statement in the summer.
The Teessiders might be under pressure to cut down their costs and balance the books after failing to challenge for promotion this term but bringing in a few high-profile free-agents should not do them much harm.
Knudsen, though not a household name in Europe, has quite a good profile for a player of his age. The 26-year-old played more than 150 games for Esbjerg and featured in the Europa League prior to his arrival at Portman Road four years back and the Dane has proven himself to be one of the most reliable in his position in the Championship over the years.
To put things into perspective, Middlesbrough need to invest in their left-back options this summer to ensure that they have the perfect balance in their squad heading into the upcoming campaign. Boro are likely to lose one of their most versatile left-sided players in Stewart Downing at the end of June and his departure would certainly call for some reinforcements.
George Friend featured regularly in that left-back or left-wing back role under Tony Pulis this past season, while George Saville also filled in the void occasionally.
Sam McQueen, who was on loan from Southampton this term, provided much-needed cover and back-up but he is likely to depart the club in a month’s time and Boro would need to find a permanent solution to their left-back conundrum.
Jonas Knudsen has a bagful of experience at the Championship level and Boro have every reason to look at the Dane as a potential long-term fix.
Still only 26, he is just entering his prime years as a left-back and one would expect him to get better with time, meaning that Knudsen could go on to establish himself as a useful player at the Riverside Stadium in the years to come.
Noted for his long throw-ins, Knudsen is also a very good reader of the game and boasts of above-average aerial prowess for a full-back.
A fast, agile and hardworking presence down the left-hand side of the pitch, the Dane is not only adept at cutting out attacks with crucial tackles and interceptions but he is also equally adept at creating chances with his immaculate crossing.
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Middlesbrough need to look at players who can offer good value for money in the market and Jonas Knudsen certainly falls within that bracket.
It is a no-brainer that they would do themselves a world of good by luring the 26-year-old to the Riverside Stadium this summer, although Boro would need to fend off interest from more established European clubs if they are really serious about getting their hands on the coveted left-back.
