Kim Hellberg opts for Morgan Whittaker’s surprise feature amid stunning form in Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg has praised Morgan Whittaker, highlighting his key defensive work amid a good run of goals.

Morgan Whittaker has been one of Middlesbrough’s best players this season and new boss Kim Hellberg was keen to continue the player’s development. Despite the change of manager, Whittaker’s form has not dipped and he has scored six consecutive championship appearances.

Despite the 24-year-old’s impressive record in front of goal, Hellberg has admitted that all the pair talk about is his defensive work, with the Swede saying Teesside Live it is one of the player’s best qualities.

“I think he’s been very, very good. The funny thing is that Morgan and I only talk about defensive football when we talk one-on-one all the time,” Hellberg said. “I remind him of those things and I think his development in that area has been brilliant.

“His defense was brilliant, because the quality on the ball and the finishing technique are incredible. It’s at the highest level. So he just has to keep everything together to be a player who can perform in different types of matches, knowing that I can trust him in the defensive part.”

“And you can see now that the players feel that he is doing a great job for the team when it comes to the defensive aspect. It is very, very important. And the quality he has with that makes him a very good player.”

Morgan Whittaker’s all-round play is helping Middlesbrough’s promotion bid

Since returning to the Championship with Plymouth Argyle, Whittaker looked like a player destined for the top of the division and made his move to Middlesbrough in January 2025 all but inevitable.

While his first half of the season on Teesside was slow, the striker has made a good impression this time around, with eight goals and three assists.

Morgan Whittaker’s stats for 2025/26

While his attacking performances grab the headlines and are perhaps the most important part of his job, the statistics show how Whittaker has also impressed defensively.

This season, the 24-year-old is averaging 1.66 tackles per 90-year-old, recovering the ball 3.95 times per 90-year-old and winning 52.9% of his aerial duels per 90-year-old.

Whittaker has the ability to be an all-round winger and is showing that this season. Middlesbrough will be hoping for a promotion-winning year and Whittaker, with or without the ball, is showing form that can take them into the Premier League.

No time for complacency at Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough has no time to lose weight. Currently they are second in the league and seven points ahead Preston North End. As is always the case in the Championship, Boro cannot afford to give up as they continue with the festive fixtures.

This weekend Boro face Bristol City, who may be out of form and still in the hunt for the play-offs.

Boro then have back-to-back home games against Blackburn Rovers and Hull City to complete 2025. Both sides will be desperate to gain points in each as they battle to achieve their own goals for the campaign.