Two strikers Middlesbrough can target to help them gain promotion
Middlesbrough, under manager Tony Pulis, are among the few teams in place for a promotion play-off spot. They currently sit fifth in the Championship and are seven points behind an automatic promotion spot. However, their main concern, despite the fact that they have the best defensive record among the top five Championship sides, is their offensive record.
So far, they’ve scored only 31 goals, which makes them the lowest scoring side among the top five Championship sides. Middlesbrough’s top scorer is Britt Assombalonga with 7 goals while Norwich City, Sheffield United and West Brom’s top scorers have 16, 16 and 14 respectively.
This does put the club at a massive disadvantage but with the January window open, it is a disadvantage they can solve.
#2 Aboubakar Kamara
Still only 23, Kamara has a long future ahead of him but it definitely isn’t at Fulham after recent incidents. While his ability on the ball is great, his attitude has caused issues with main striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
As a result, it’s up to Middlesbrough to convince them to sell the 23-year-old forward. His record in the Championship is good, having produced 9 goals in 30 appearances last season. Time will improve him and under Tony Pulis, things could become even better as the French international offers pace and agility.
However, if the former West Brom manager does make a move for Kamara, Pulis will have to try and get the 23-year-old to curb his attitude. That has been a major part of his downfall at Fulham but if Pulis can solve that, he will receive a valuable option.
#1 Mbwana Samatta
The 26-year-old has been at his best this season, scoring 24 goals in 31 appearances so far for Belgian side KRC Genk this season. His pace, power and agility make him a lethal option but it’s Samatta’s consistency that really makes him valuable. Since his arrival at Genk, Samatta has produced 74 goals in 144 appearances for the Belgian side, which comes out to just 1.9 games per goal/assist.
This stat alone shows how valuable the 26-year-old can be and given that Middlesbrough are chasing after a potential promotion, they need someone to consistently score goals. Not only that, the Tanzanian forward can create goals for his team-mates, thanks to his eye for a pass and an intelligent footballing brain.
While all this does make him a great option for Boro, they need to make the move as fast as possible since the window closes in just under 10 games.
