Every so often, the EFL produces a gem.
Dele Alli is the stand out, but there have been other diamonds in the rough. The likes of Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, among others, all rose up through the English football pyramid before going on to enjoy success elsewhere. It’s all about knowing where to look.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Now, attention is turning to the Riverside, and specifically the Middlesbrough midfield. Hayden Hackney is the latest off the EFL conveyor belt that is tipped to go far in the game. As Boro push for automatic promotion – a 3-1 loss at Coventry on Monday night hardly aided their cause – Hackney is likely to be plying his trade in the Premier League regardless next season.
To most, he’s already a Premier League quality midfielder. Four goals and five assists for a deep-lying midfielder are both solid hauls. However, there is more to the 23-year-old beyond goal involvements.
Midfield the priority for Premier League’s elite
A number of England’s top sides are tipped to strengthen in midfield in the summer. Manchester United and Manchester City are expected to battle it out for Elliot Anderson. Adam Wharton, another EFL alumni, and Carlos Baleba are also of interest to United.
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Liverpool require midfield reinforcements, while Tottenham are crying out for a deep-lying playmaker. Hackney may not be the glamour name fans demand. That shouldn’t deter suitors from making a move for the Boro star.
An average of 64 passes per 90 ranks fourth of midfielders in the Championship this season. This is key for Kim Hellberg’s side. Boro, after all, rank top for possession (57.9%). Hackney’s ability to find a teammate with ease aid their ques to dictate the tempo.
Boro’s pass master
However, it’s not about Hackney’s ability to retain possession, but rather what he does with the ball. He’s a midfielder who is routinely looking to drive Boro forward from the middle of the park.
As such, a return of 639 forward passes is notable in that the haul, excluding goalkeepers and centre-backs, ranks fourth in England’s second tier this term. The Boro star routinely turns and scans to pick out his next pass. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that he also ranks first for completed final third passes (637) in the division. Saying that, it’s not just Hackney’s distribution that has caught the eye.
A key quality for a player in his position is the ability to shake off or turn a marker when they receive the ball to help ease pressure on the defence and instigate attacks. Hackney does so to an incredibly high standard. Indeed, he’s completed the third most take ons (45) in the Championship this season. Those above him – Abdul Fatawu and Mikey Johnston – are wingers by trade.
Defensive work up to scratch
Off the ball, too, Hackney excels. He’s not a luxury player by any stretch but rather one that clubs can build their team around, which Boro have done. The Englishman ranks top for ball recoveries (182) of outfield players in the 2025-26 Championship campaign. No player has won possession in the midfield third more times than Hackney (104) in the division. 76 tackles and interceptions combined is also a solid return.
There are those, however, who will have their Hackney doubts. The gulf between the Premier League and the Championship increases with each passing year. Players who have shone in the second tier suddenly struggle with the relentlessness of the top-flight. It’s a cruel reality check, and one that few pass.
Saying that, just because Hackney’s not already playing in the Premier League doesn’t mean he will struggle with the step up between divisions. Wharton took to England’s top tier like a duck to water. Crystal Palace are expected to fetch a hefty fee for the England international when they come to sell this summer.
Boro, even if they are promoted, won’t be able to match Wharton’s asking price when the time comes to cash in on Hackney. Conversely, they’ll be able to command a hefty fee for the midfielder, even with a year left to run on his current deal.
Hackney will hardly be plucked from obscurity should he leave the summer. Premier League interest is warranted, and the main shock is that he hasn’t already yet made the step up.
Either way, the midfielder should be high on wishlists of teams seeking a deep lying playmaker this summer. A lack of top-flight experience be damned, Hackney’s skillset is suited to the Premier League.
