Player Analysis: Anfernee Dijksteel

To quoteDominic Shaw, Middlesbrough Editor for Teesside Live, in November 2020: 'Anfernee Dijksteel is getting better by the week. His game is maturing by the week. He's growing in confidence by the week. Imagine what he'll be at the end of this season, never mind in a couple of years.'

Fifteen months of consistent improvement on, the Dutchman has continued to live up to the eager anticipation of the Boro faithful. However, since Chris Wilder's arrival at the club in November 2021, Dijksteel, along with many of his team mates, has completely eclipsed all expectations placed upon him.

Perched atop the peak Middlesbrough currently find themselves on are the likes of Marcus Tavernier, Matt Crooks and Isaiah Jones who have excelled in Wilder's 3-5-2 system, but the former Sheffield United boss has instilled an infectious belief throughout his squad, and Dijksteel has been one of, if not the biggest beneficiary of Neil Warnock's successor.

Having cemented his place on the right side of the back three, the former Charlton Athletic man, who played in centre midfield for the Addicks before switching to right-back when he moved to North Yorkshire, has thrived in a position that entwines his key strengths to a tee.