Cameron Archer's prolific start to life in France is a reminder of the striker's quality for Middlesbrough supporters. The former Boro loanee has scored six goals in seven Ligue 1 appearances for AJ Auxerre this season, matching his total output from 74 Premier League outings.

Archer, an Aston Villa academy graduate, spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at the Riverside Stadium under Michael Carrick. He scored 11 goals in 23 appearances for the club, a spell that cemented his connection with the Teesside faithful. His current form in France, where he has netted six of Auxerre's 13 league goals, makes him the highest-scoring Englishman across Europe's top five leagues.

Archer's connection to Middlesbrough

He was often used as a winger or attacking midfielder in the Premier League, struggling to find a consistent starting spot.

Will Still's influence at Auxerre

His move to France was facilitated by manager Will Still, who previously worked with him briefly at Southampton. Although Archer was not a regular under Still at St Mary's, the manager's trust has been repaid with a starting role and a flurry of goals. The French top flight is seen as offering forwards more time and space compared to the physical demands of English football, a environment where Archer's movement and poacher's instincts are thriving.

Middlesbrough's own forward line is firing, with the team sitting first in the Championship on 28 points after 13 games, a record of eight wins, four draws and one loss. They hold a four-point lead at the top of Wolves and have scored 30 goals this season while conceding 17. Will Lankshear leads the way with 13 goals, part of an attack that just put three past Charlton Athletic in a 3-0 win at the Riverside on Saturday 31 October, with Sebastian Berhalter and Lankshear scoring twice on the day. This followed a 5-1 away victory at Bolton on Saturday 23 October, a game in which Lankshear also scored twice and Amario Cozier-Duberry got on the scoresheet. The team's recent form shows four wins and a draw from their last five matches, putting them on a two-game winning run.

The club's strong position and free-scoring ways provide an interesting backdrop to Archer's exploits abroad. His successful loan spell at Preston North End, where he scored seven goals in 20 games, preceded his productive time at Boro. While his immediate future remains in France, his rising stock will be monitored by clubs who saw his potential in the Championship. Middlesbrough's focus now turns to maintaining their league lead, with an away trip to face 18th-placed Wrexham next on the schedule this Wednesday 4 November.

More detail at Saints Extra