George Friend

[Stanley]

Sky Sports understands several Premier League and Championship sides are tracking Middlesbrough defender George Friend.

Friend is entering the final year of his current deal at Middlesbrough and as yet no new deal has been agreed.

The news has alerted a host of clubs with the likes of Queens Park Rangers, Crystal Palace and Reading all keeping tabs on his situation at the Riverside.

Friend has established himself as a key player at Middlesbrough since arriving from Doncaster in the summer of 2012.

The versatile defender, who can play centre-back or left-back, is regarded as one of the best defenders outside the Premier League and was named Middlesbrough's Player of the Season last term.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11711/9419203/transfer-news-middlesbrough-defender-george-friend-a-target-for-several-clubs?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

[Norths]

Shania will be delighted with this news no doubt.

I don't really know too much about him to give an opinion but if brought in as a left back option, better than yun/traore?

[Stanley]

if brought in as a left back option, better than yun/traore?

More of a defensive LB in a 4-4-2, but can also play as a LCB in a 3-5-2, which would make sense with Rio as sweeper and Caulker on the right.

Might make sense if the Nedum rumours are true.

[Norths]

Not buying those Nedum rumours at all fella.

Sounds like Friend could still be an option though if he can play the LCB role in a back three. Our only naturally left footed CB at the current time is Hill and this could potentially be his last season.

[Stanley]

Not buying those Nedum rumours at all fella.

Makes no sense to me either Norths.

[californiahoop]

Ned is a great man marker in a back four, a bit like Danny Maddix was. He isn't great on the ball, G Friend has always been a tidy player and would fit perfectly on the left side of a back three as cover for Clint and Dunne, short-term it's going to be Ned and Caulker fighting it out for the right side position, Rio will play 60-70 mins when fit, then will be replaced by Ned who will drop in on the right side and Caulker will drop into the sweeper role.

The only problem with the above is Ned might not be too happy with sitting on the bench.
Once you start improving the squad you will always get these situations, it's about either man- mangling them( in the Hoddle way or man-managing them in a Arry way).

This is one of the reasons I believe that this Harry and Glen team might work, the problem then is, how long before someone comes in for him? Let's hope he is like G Francis and is just happy sitting in the background, but I somehow doubt it, I hope in the time he is here, he sets certain things in motion, he did run his own academy, so should also be hands on with that!

[QPR Brisbane]

Friend knew Paladini well as he tried to get him to join QPR 4 years ago for £600k, and he has a stunning girlfriend, so come on down!