Middlesbrough, Michael Carrick must dream of repeating Aston Villa double-deal | OneFootball

A 2023 January loan swoop for Aston Villa's Aaron Ramsey and Cameron Archer should be the benchmark for Boro's future transfer dealings

A January coup that saw Aston Villa duo Cameron Archer and Aaron Ramsey join Middlesbrough in January 2023 has become the new benchmark for transfer business for Michael Carrick's side.

With Boro fighting for a play-off spot, Carrick believed it was wise to bring in reinforcements to a team needing extra backup if they were to have a chance at promotion.

Archer had enjoyed a successful loan spell at Preston North End the season prior, in which he had bagged seven goals in 20 league appearances. However, Preston were only good enough to secure 13th place in the league.

Similarly, Ramsey had spent the first half of the 2022/23 season on loan at Norwich City, who had struggled for form after being relegated from the Premier League at the end of the previous season. Primarily used as a winger, Ramsey racked up 18 appearances for the Canaries before joining Middlesbrough, scoring three goals.

Cameron Archer shows his quality after Middlesbrough switch

A product of the Aston Villa academy, there had always been the utmost respect for Archer's ability and a real belief that he would develop into one of the club's top young stars. Having represented England at Under-20 and Under-21 level, Archer joined Middlesbrough at the age of 21 with a point to prove.

However, Archer initially failed to get off the mark. Deployed as a lone striker, the young forward did not find the net until his fifth game, scoring his first goal for the club in a 3-1 away win against Cardiff City. This is where things really began to take off, though, as he netted five times in his next seven fixtures, also providing one assist.

Archer's presence in the team allowed star striker Chuba Akpom to be moved into his preferred number ten role, sitting just off the shoulder of the striker and making late runs into the box. The slight tactical shift proved to be very effective, as Akpom went on to score 28 league goals that season and also won the Championship Player of the Season award.

Aided by Archer, Middlesbrough climbed the table, eventually reaching the play-offs with a tally of 75 points and finishing as the league's second-highest scorers. However, it was not to be for Boro, as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat in the play-off semi-final to Coventry City.

Aaron Ramsey capitalises on Middlesbrough chance after horrific Norwich City injury

Not to be forgotten is the impact Ramsey's arrival also had on Middlesbrough's 2022/23 season. While on a training camp for Norwich during the 2022 World Cup, Ramsey suffered a horrific knee injury that required surgery, keeping him out until February.

In spite of this, Middlesbrough decided to take a punt on the young attacking midfielder, regardless of the potential risks, as he swapped Norfolk for North Yorkshire.

It turned out to be an inspired decision from the Teessiders. 11 games after Ramsey's injury yielded five goals and one assist, as Middlesbrough secured their coveted play-off spot.

However, an important talking point was Ramsey's switch in position. David Wagner had deployed the Englishman in his favoured attacking midfield role, but this only brought a return of three goals and three assists in 18 appearances.

Carrick saw the quality a combination of Akpom and Archer provided, and so decided to move Ramsey out wide. Utilised on the left wing, Ramsey's quick feet and electric dribbling came to life, seeing him on the scoresheet in almost every other appearance.

This loan spell has also proven to be the most successful spell of Ramsey's career, as he has only made 14 appearances since signing for Burnley in 2023, where he is yet to score.

Michael Carrick will need to replicate this going forward

A dream spell for the two young forwards demonstrated the excellent business Carrick and Boro are capable of conducting. With Middlesbrough currently 11th in the Championship table and three points adrift of the play-offs, similar business in January could be the difference in a promotion tilt.

It is a real surprise that Boro find themselves so low down the table, having accrued the highest xG of any team so far with 24.5, according to FotMob.

Hopefully, a swoop of similar proportions in the coming January transfer window will yield further excellent results and allow Middlesbrough to once again push for a return to the Premier League.