Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg has revealed that Sontje Hansen's absence from the EFL Cup first-round win against Wrexham was due to improving his fitness with the Under-21s. The 24-year-old Curacao international had enjoyed an extended break following the World Cup and was still getting back into shape. Hellberg stated that Hansen's absence was not due to an impending move away, but rather the coaching staff feeling that a game with the Under-21s would have been more beneficial to improving his fitness.
What happened?
Hansen spent the summer with the Curacao National Team in the World Cup, playing 45 minutes in their opening group game against Germany before being an unused substitute in the other two. He returned to Middlesbrough training a little later than the rest of his teammates and Hellberg felt that a full game for the Under-21s would be better than a cameo bench appearance against Wrexham.
Why it matters for Middlesbrough
Hansen's fitness plan has raised questions about his future at Middlesbrough. The 24-year-old arrived from Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen last summer following consecutive campaigns registering 10 goal involvements in the Dutch top flight, but struggled massively to adapt to the Championship in his debut campaign. He made 20 appearances in all competitions last year, only four of which saw him in the starting eleven.
What comes next?
Middlesbrough are willing to listen to offers for Hansen if they come in, but for now, Hellberg seems fine with having him as a squad option. The team is currently 15 points behind leaders Coventry in the Championship and has scored 72 goals this season, conceding 47. They are on a recent form of 0W-1D-4L (LLLLD, most recent first) and lost their last four games.
