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10 'Reckless' Middlesbrough signings
Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb has been busy criticising Steve McClaren for his transfer spending while at the club. McClaren spent some £54.5 million during five years at the Riverside Stadium. Lamb has suggested the money was spent on "reputation rather than performance." However, Boro had form before McClaren set foot in the club.
10 'Reckless' Middlesbrough signings continued
10 Carlos Arturo Marinelli
Signed from Boca Juniors as a 15-year-old for £1.5 million from under the noses of Manchester United and a host of other high profile suitors, but never delivered. Currently playing for Torino in Italy where he moved on a free transfer.
9 Jonathan Greening
Football's best Jesus impersonator is the first of the McClaren flops. He joined from Manchester United for £2 million in 2001. Although a regular for a couple of seasons, he never really impressed. Boro did manage to recoup £1.25 million when they flogged him to West Brom though.
8 Mark Wilson
Snapped up for a further £2 million at the same time as Greening as McClaren raided his former club. He played a handful of games before going out on a succession of loans. He joined FC Dallas on a free transfer in 2005, but left last month to find a club in Europe.
7 Paul Merson
Despite his drink and drugs problems, Merse became the most expensive player outside the Premier League when Boro paid £5 million for him in 1997 after their relegation. Although he didn't do much at the Riverside, Boro managed to make a profit on him when they sold him to Aston Villa for £6.75 million a year later!
6 Paul Gascoigne
With a vacancy for an ageing alcoholic Boro turned to Gazza. However, indifferent performances on the pitch and continuing drink problems led to Gascoigne being released after just one season.
5 Massimo Maccarone
He at least started repaying some of the £8.15 million invested in him with two goals in Boro's Uefa Cup semi-final last season, but Maccarone still has to go down as a flop. He hasn't lived up to his reputation as Italy's next big thing since moving to Boro.
4 Malcolm Christie
Another McClaren special. Christie moved to Boro from Derby for £3 million in 2003 as a baby-faced bright young thing. After a series of bad injuries, he returned with a beard and struggling for form.
3 Michael Ricketts
Signed by Stevie Mac for £3.5 million in January 2003, Ricketts moved to Leeds on a free transfer in June 2004 after scoring just three goals. He is now at Southend.
2 Fabio
The Brazilian defender was signed by Boro on the basis that he was Emerson's cousin. He managed one appearance in 14 months at the club.
1 Marco Branca
Boro paid £1 million for the 33-year-old who made a successful start with nine goals in 11 games. However, he then picked up a serious injury which the club said had ended his career. Boro terminated his contract, and Branca sued them for £500,000 when he played football again for Monza.
September 5, 2006 in Lists, Middlesbrough | Permalink
Comments
Who wrote this article? Half of it is inaccurate, and a large amount is bizarre opinion. The writer obviously isn't a Middlesbrough fan. Jonathan Greening was voted player of the year in one of his seasons with us.
Paul Merson "didn't do much"?? He was a major force in getting us promoted, got us to a cup final and up until the point he decided he hated us because of the 'alleged' Robson drink culture, he talked of staying forever and being manager.
Gascoigne didn't have the best of times but I am sure he signed for us before Merson left, so not filling a vacancy, but also he was with us for over two seasons, not just one.
Malclm Christie dodn't cost 3 million, that was the alleged fee for him and Chris Riggott combined I believe. The Riggott who has been a significant player for us over the last few years.
As for number 1: Branca was a brilliant player, 9 goals in 11 games tells it all. The fact that he then picked up a serious injury didn't make it a reckless signing. Writing him off was an error, but the million pounds for the goals he scored then was probably a decent fee.. if he had stayed fit he would have been outstanding.
Just my opinion, but at least more accurate than the article on a number of points.
Posted by: borofan86 | Feb 22, 2007 9:53:56 AM
Thanks for your comments, borofan86. I did say that Greening was a regular for a couple of seasons, but I don't think the fee for him and Wilson can go down as money well spent with hindsight.
Merson - I'm sure he was vital in getting Boro promoted, you would expect a player of his quality to breeze the old Division One. But £5 million was still a reckless amount to spend on a player with his problems.
Gazza - There was an overlap of a few months with Merson, but this was mostly the close season of 1998. But you're correct in saying he was at Boro for two seasons rather than one.
Christie/Riggott - I never mentioned Riggott as a reckless signing. Christie, in my opinion, has not really repaid whatever was spent on him (even though he has been unlucky with injuries).
Feel free to contribute any other 'reckless' signings you feel Keith Lamb was referring to.
Posted by: Rob P | Feb 22, 2007 10:42:57 AM
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