Boro can build team around Dutchman - if they can fend off interest

MIDDLESBROUGH need to maintain a tight ship this summer if they are again facing the prospect of another season of Championship football.

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They must hang on to their best players if at all possible, to ensure that foundations are in place for the next campaign. Then they can bring in a few new faces in the belief that the squad must be stronger ready for yet another promotion push next season.

Hayden Hackney is certain to attract a few inquiries from Premier League clubs, though I reckon that most of the interest will be in Rav van den Berg. The Dutch defender has proved himself to be one of Michael Carrick’s best signings. He's been a stalwart in the side virtually from the beginning.

Overall his rapid development has been quite remarkable considering that he was still very much an untested player at this level when he signed his Boro contract just 24 hours before his 19th birthday.

With fewer than 30 first team lines for a while. As he builds up his experience, he is getting better and better. In fact he is the ideal player with whom to build a new-look side around if Boro are once again consigned to playing at this level.