40% pass success v Cardiff: Can Latte Lath fill the Chuba Akpom void at Middlesbrough?
How did Middlesbrough new boy Emmanuel Latte Lath play in the recent win over Cardiff City? Could he replace Chuba Akpom long-term?
Emmanuel Latte Lath has shown potential to be a key player for Middlesbrough this season, with a goal in his second game and starting the first five games.
However, he has been wasteful in front of goal and was dropped for two games after a lack of efficiency.
Latte Lath scored his third goal in seven games against Cardiff City, showcasing his speed and composure, but he still needs to improve his possession and passing skills.
Emmanuel Latte Lath signed for Middlesbrough this season on a four-year contract with the club, plus the option of a further year.
The 24-year-old forward is capable of playing as a striker or wide forward and has played seven times for the club so far following his move from Italian giants Atalanta this summer.
He struggled to break through into their first team, and was sent on various loan spells, the best of which came at Swiss outfit St. Gallen last season.
He joined clubs such as Aurora Pro Patrial, Imolese Calcio, Carrarese Calcio, and US Pistoiese among others. Fairly recently, in Italy, he had a loan spell at SPAL in Serie B; but it was in Switzerland where the Ivorian striker notched 16 times in just 34 outings and earnt his move to the Championship.
A similar record for Middlesbrough would help to fill the void left by Chuba Akpom, who left the club in favour of a move to Ajax in the summer, as well as losing Cameron Archer that was a huge blow for Michael Carrick, meaning Latte Lath had big boots to fill.
Di Marzio claims that the initial fee that Boro are paying for the striker is €5 million (£4.3 million), with an extra €1.5 million (£1.3 million) in performance related add-ons that could be met in the future, so it could reach £5.6 million overall.