Rav van den Berg has seemingly assured Middlesbrough fans of his commitment to the club after speculation of his departure this summer.
With the club building momentum over the past couple of years under Michael Carrick, pivotal figures in their success have become the subject of interest. Chuba Akpom and Morgan Rogers both left the club ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. The next player to be targeted by European clubs is Rav Van Den Berg. The Dutchman joined Boro from PEC Zwolle in the summer of 2023.
The centre-back had a stellar first season in the second tier as he won both the club’s Player and Young Player of the Year awards. He would feature just under 40 times in all competitions last season as he became a mainstay of his side’s defence. Alongside his defensive capabilities, the 20-year-old is also comfortable on the ball as he was in the top 20% for pass percentage at 88.8% and progressive passes with 1.06 per 90.
These brilliant performances would eventually catch the eye of Premier League sides such as Everton and Tottenham Hotsur. In addition, Belgian giants RSC Anderlecht would also be revealed to be interested in his services. Despite his admirers, Middlesbrough will look to keep hold of their youngster as they see him as a pivotal part of competing for promotion.
After a 0-0 draw away at Harrogate Town, the defender would talk to BBC Tees about his previous season and his hopes for the upcoming campaign:
“I don’t feel different in a football way but, of course, I had a decent season. I feel like I am more confident now. It is nice when you have a good season behind you and I’m really looking forward to the new season.
“I want to show another level of consistency this season. I can’t wait for the season to start to show the fans that we can get promoted.
“We have to change that this time. The end of the season was really good, but the way we ended last season is the way we have to start this one.”
Writer’s View
With Van den Berg seemingly confirming his future at the Teesside-based club, the squad will be able to progress and not have to worry about losing one of their key players. The centre-back was a prominent figure in last season’s squad and an important player in Carrick’s system due to his on-the-ball abilities.
His elite qualities and young age mean Boro keeping hold of him will be crucial as he can play a significant role in promotion. On the other hand, he can also be sold for profit as suggested by the major interest regarding him. Therefore, if he continues to build on the work of last season, he could become one of the most highly regarded young defenders in the country.
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