The League Paper

‘WE LOST HAYDEN BUT NOW WE’VE GOT DEPTH’

by
The Football League Paper Team
1 November 2026

BIG INTERVIEW: LUKE AYLING
By Chris Dunlavy

LUKE Ayling has no doubt that Middlesbrough would be a better team if Hayden Hackney was still pulling the strings in midfield.
But the veteran defender reckons selling Boro’s home-grown hero to Everton this summer has allowed gaffer Kim Hellberg to build a side fit for the Premier League.
Middlesbrough pocketed an initial £16.5m for Hackney, who was named Championship Player of the Year last season.
Potential add-ons could see that figure rise to around £24m, whilst Morgan Rogers’ record-breaking move from Aston...

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