Middlesbrough are getting closer to hiring Hammarby manager Kim Hellberg as their next head coach. According to reports, the Championship team has already signed an agreement with the 37-year-old and is merely waiting for his work visa before confirming the appointment.
Hellberg is anticipated to replace Rob Edwards, who has left for Premier League strugglers Wolves. He will inherit a team that has had a strong start to the season, with Boro now second in the Championship behind Coventry City. His arrival will allow him to thoroughly examine his roster and begin planning for the January transfer window, which may provide him with the opportunity to reconnect with some of the players he worked with at Hammarby. With that in mind, here are three members of the Swedish club’s squad that could possibly be considered by Middlesbrough in the coming months.
Montader Madjed
Madjed is largely regarded as one of Sweden’s most promising rising players. Last year, Sportbladet stated that Juventus and Feyenoord were interested in him, but he chose to extend his contract with Hammarby instead. The 20-year-old right-sided attacker has established himself as an important member of Hellberg’s team, appearing in 29 games this season, scoring 10 goals and assisting five times.
His versatility, which allows him to play on either wing or through the middle as a striker, appeals to any club. In an interview with Fotbollskanalen in May, Hellberg lauded him, saying, “He has incredible attacking quality and scored a goal few others in our squad could produce.”
Adrian Lahdo
Despite being only 17, Lahdo has worked his way into the first-team picture over the last year. He appeared in 18 games in all competitions, scoring one goal and providing five assists before the Swedish season ended in early November. After spending most of his time on the bench, he started Hammarby’s final five league games, scoring one goal and assisting three times.
He exemplifies the club’s continuous dedication to providing meaningful opportunity for young players, a principle Hellberg has adopted.
Paulos Abraham
Paulos Abraham, another offensive option, could be of interest to Middlesbrough. The 23-year-old, who joined Hammarby in January, generated impressive attacking figures throughout the season. He scored ten goals in the last nine league games alone.
Abraham is capable of playing centrally or on either wing, making him a valuable multi-position attacker – something that may come in handy as Championship fixtures pile up following the international break and injuries eventually strike.
Hellberg summed up his attitude earlier this year: “I’ve been brought in to improve our results while also developing the squad.” This involves working with younger players. ‘Monte’ is a very young talent with huge promise.”
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