Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg has revealed why his club did not buy a striker during the January transfer window, stating that any addition must have “purpose.”

Boro, although having the fourth-best attacking return in the Championship, have been hailed for defending better than attacking, particularly earlier in the season under Rob Edwards.

Morgan Whittaker has recovered his goalscoring form from his time at Plymouth Argyle under new manager Hellberg, but aside from the 25-year-old’s 11 goals, Boro have struggled to pack a punch in front of goal, with first-choice frontman Tommy Conway scoring six times in 30 outings.

As a result, some believed that a new striker should have entered the Riverside to legitimise Middlesbrough’s ongoing title challenge, but none arrived as the window closed.

Kim Hellberg revealed why, stating that he did not want to sign players just for the purpose of it this month.

Kim Hellberg explains Middlesbrough’s transfer omission.

According to Teeside Live, Middlesbrough did want a striker in the January transfer window, but the transaction fell through due to a lack of appealing choices for Kim Hellberg’s side at the time.

Boro manager Kim Hellberg rejected the possibility of bringing in a new frontman, citing the importance of finding the correct fit for the team at the time. He did not believe that any available names would have added to their current roster.”If you find the right one, I believe we would have done one more [January signing],” he told Teeside Live.But it had to be appropriate for the group, as well as for all of the other factors. It’s critical not to go out and buy players just to buy them. “Every player we bring in should have a clear purpose.”There will never be a 100% success rate. Not every signing will go on to play 200 games for Middlesbrough. “Being a good person in the environment can lead to personal growth.”It is critical to examine each player you sign and determine his role and what we can expect from him. Also, how can he improve, and how can we get the most out of him as a team?”

Middlesbrough has enough attacking options to get them over the line.

While a known center forward was not among the January incomings, Boro did strengthen in offensive areas with the arrivals of Leo Castledine, who scored 10 goals in 23 League In the first half of the season, Jeremy Sarmiento played one game for Huddersfield Town, and he has been part of promoted sides out of the Championship in the previous two seasons.

Furthermore, the already serviceable alternatives in Kim Hellberg’s arsenal suggest that the team currently joint-top in the Championship should be able to keep their position.

Hellberg mentioned that his team has scored the most goals in the division in the last 13 games, while simultaneously experiencing a seven-hour scoreless streak. He exclaimed, “It must be some type of world record!”There have been so many guys scoring from various positions. We have Morgan Whittaker, who ranks among the league’s best scorers. We have Tommy Conway, who has scored a number of goals in recent games.

“Alan Browne has scored a lot of goals, and Riley McGree scored a bunch at the start. David Strelec was a prolific goalscorer prior to his injuries.So, there are a lot of players who can score goals. Then it’s up to me to continue enhancing them.”

Indeed, there are plenty of players capable of stealing the scoring mantle between now and May, much as Coventry City did earlier this year with Haji Wright, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Ellis Simms, and Ephron Mason-Clark.

Kim Hellberg certainly believes that his current crop can provide major moments in the next 16 games of the season, and if they do, Middlesbrough will likely return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.