Middlesbrough transfer target Karl Darlow has ‘everything you want from a goalkeeper’

Middlesbrough are aiming to sign Karl Darlow this summer as they look to bolster their goalkeeping ranks following the departure of Zack Steffen at the end of his loan from Manchester City.

They face competition in the form of Hull City, where he spent the second half of last season on loan, while recent reports have also suggested that recently relegated Leeds United have the Newcastle United shot-stopper on a list of four as they seek a new number one this summer.

Boro will hope they can win the race for the 32-year-old’s signature as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season, and with the goalkeeper role proving so integral to how Michael Carrick wished to play last term. His long-time team-mate Jamal Lascelles, who played with him at both Nottingham Forest and Newcastle, would likely back him to succeed at Boro.

READ MORE: Hull City executive says Karl Darlow wants to join them, but concedes Middlesbrough ‘in the mix’

Needing to be adept at playing with the ball at his feet as well as the more traditional skills associated with being a goalkeeper, Lascelles previously said of Darlow: “Since he’s been at Newcastle, I don’t think he’s put a foot wrong. Every time he’s been asked, he’s played well. In the Championship season, he played the majority of the games and we got promotion.

“He’s been patient. He’s a great professional. He’s been fantastic. That’s what I know from Karl. He’s a great goalkeeper. His shot-stopping, crosses, everything you’d want from your goalkeeper.”

Darlow actually started out in Aston Villa’s academy but moved to Nottingham Forest on the advice of former Manchester United goalkeeper coach Eric Steele who worked with him at Villa. Carrick will know Steele well from their time at Old Trafford together, and very well might have picked up the phone for a positive reference during the initial scouting process.

Darlow would come through at Forest before moving to Newcastle United, at the time managed by Boro favourite Steve McClaren. Early in his Magpies career, while still relatively young for a goalkeeper, McClaren made clear his belief in Darlow.

“We had a thousand set-plays against us, he dealt with that very well,” McClaren said of the keeper. “Karl Darlow is a very good goalkeeper and I have every confidence in him.”

Initially a backup option on Tyneside, Darlow won a battle with Belgium international Matz Sels to be Rafa Benitez’s first choice as Newcastle earned immediate promotion back to the Premier League in 2017. He earned plenty of praise for his performances at that time and was even backed by ex-Newcastle favourite David Kelly, who coached him at Forest, to progress into the England squad.

But as the Magpies made it back to the top flight, Darlow would fall to second choice when Martin Dubravka arrived. Nevertheless, the Champions League-winning ex-Liverpool manager always retained faith in the now-Boro target. Ahead of a game in which Darlow was going to have to cover for injury, Benitez simply said: “We have to support Karl, but he’s a confident boy and we know what he can do.”

Before losing his place in the side, however, Darlow did show some of his qualities in the Premier League, and particularly caught the eye of Eden Hazard during an excellent display at Stamford Bridge. Hazard scored twice that day, but told the club website after: “I have to say that is a great goalkeeper, he saved two great chances. I should have scored more.”

While Darlow has been on the fringes at Newcastle for the majority of his time there, he has generally shown his ability positively whenever he has been called upon. A clash with Liverpool in 2020 was another in which he came into the side and earned plaudits as he kept a clean sheet.

Newcastle legend and Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer said after that game: “He should be very, very proud of his performance. When you are playing against the quality of Liverpool and their forwards you know you are going to have to have a good game. He was big and strong and just kept them out and there was no way they were going to get past him. The defenders in front of him had to work extremely hard but when they got past the defenders he was just exceptional. Superb.”

Darlow’s shot-stopping abilities will make him an attractive option for Boro this summer, with Steffen at times conceding goals during a generally positive spell that were questionable, to put it mildly. But Boro’s goalkeeper needs more than shot-stopping ability, with their ability with the ball at their feet important.

Hull City are looking to play a similar style under Liam Rosenior though, and Boro are likely to have identified Darlow’s suitability based on the qualities he showed while playing said style at the MKM Stadium in the second half of last season. That’s why the Tigers are also so keen to re-sign him this summer.

Rosenior said in May: “He’s been magnificent since he’s come in. I think he’s massively enjoying working here, I think he’s enjoying the club, he’s settled in with the players really really well. Hopefully we’ll have discussions in the summer about his long-term future.”

Hull are battling to have the goalkeeper return, but able to offer him a move closer to the place he’s called home for eight years now, the lure of head coach Carrick, as well as what are considered better chances at winning promotion this season, Boro will be hoping to scupper Hull’s hopes and attract him to Teesside.

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