Middlesbrough are looking at the options available for young forward Alex Gilbert, as revealed by Teesside Live.
Boro saw the young forward impress against Leeds United this week, but first-team chances may be limited, and manager Michael Carrick is not averse to seeing him head out on loan for more experience.
The Championship side have already signed Delano Burgzorg and Micah Hamilton this summer, and are also closing in on a deal for Tommy Conway, which may cut the 22-year-old’s potential game time. That leaves the former Manchester United and England midfielder with a decision to make, and as he explained to Teesside Live, the player has impressed when given the chance.
“Alex is doing well at the moment. Not speaking about Alex specifically here, but you can’t guarantee anything at this stage. You never know what will pop up. But Alex has done really well, he’s part of the group – a strong part of the group – and he’s developing all the time.”
Carrick didn’t specifically say the youngster was available for loan, but the report goes on to say that it is widely believed it is being considered to best facilitate a development arc that Carrick feels shows real potential.
“He has developed a lot in the time he’s been here – just over a year now. I think you can see that. He had a big couple of games at the end of last season and a couple of big individual moments for him to feel that belonging within the group and knowing that he can play at the level.”
Gilbert came through the youth ranks at another Championship side, West Brom, before switching to Brentford. He played in their B-team but didn’t break through to the senior side despite a short loan spell with Swindon Town. In July 2023, he signed a four-year deal with Boro for a fee believed to be in the region of £1 million.
His exposure to senior football has been sporadic since then – he played 15 times in total last season, 12 of those in the second tier. He chipped in with his first senior goal in the 4–1 victory over Cardiff City in April.
Boro started the season strongly, not only thrashing Leeds at Elland Road in the League Cup, but also defeating Swansea City at Riverside on the opening day. Gilbert wasn’t involved in that win, which came courtesy of Emmanuel Latte Lath’s 25th-minute penalty.
Writer’s View
A loan spell is surely the best thing for the young player at this stage. He’s 22, so he needs to get some regular first-team football, and while he has looked impressive, in order to develop, he has to play games.
Carrick clearly values him, but a Championship manager has to balance development with results, and there might not always be the opportunity to get Gilbert on the field. A loan into League One, or even the top end of League Two, where he could start 20 games between now and Christmas, would be the best thing. Then, the club can assess their options with a possibly January recall, if he smashes it.
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