Middlesbrough defender Anfernee Dijksteel may be enjoying a standout campaign under Michael Carrick, but his future at the Riverside Stadium remains unresolved with just weeks left on his contract.
Having gone from a peripheral figure to a key starter, Dijksteel has made 25 appearances in the Championship this season — a dramatic increase on the eight league starts he managed in the previous campaign. Yet, despite his resurgence, the 27-year-old’s contract situation has still not been addressed publicly by the club.
Speculation mounted in January when Millwall and other Championship sides expressed interest in the defender. It’s understood Middlesbrough were open to letting him leave, but only if they could secure a replacement. The failure to do so meant Dijksteel stayed — and since then, he has quietly become a vital cog in Carrick’s defence.
Carrick Remains Coy on Contract Call
When asked about Dijksteel’s future, Carrick praised the full-back’s form and attitude but stopped short of offering clarity on whether a new deal is on the table.
“He’s played a lot this season and done a lot of good things. We’re really pleased with him. There’s always thinking going on in terms of the future and planning for how we might want it to look. Decisions like that are part of that thinking. There isn’t a decision made on anything yet. But, as time goes on, that will get sorted out one way or the other.”
Dijksteel has taken his opportunity, particularly with Luke Ayling struggling for fitness and consistency. He now looks likely to retain the starting right-back spot for the remainder of the season — a far cry from the exit door he appeared to be approaching just months ago.
Carrick acknowledged the defender’s resilience and hunger to take his chance, using his story as an example of the value of maintaining professionalism even while out of favour.
“It just shows every player in the squad is important, whether they’re playing regularly or not. Everyone’s time will come and the key is to have the right attitude, keep working hard, keep training at the right level to be ready for whenever that next opportunity comes.”
Dijksteel, who arrived at Boro from Charlton Athletic in 2019, has shown an improved attacking edge this season too — scoring against both Leeds and QPR in similar fashion. Carrick believes his attacking contribution is an underappreciated part of his game.
“He’s scored two pretty identical goals this season (against Leeds and QPR) and it just shows what he can do. He’s a good defender and he’s athletic, but he can get forward and create things as well. He’s playing well.”
Known for being quiet off the pitch but committed on it, Dijksteel’s attitude has impressed Carrick throughout his tenure.
“He’s been here a number of years now and though he’s quite a quiet lad, he’s always positive and always wants to learn and listen and help the boys.”
Site Opinion
Anfernee Dijksteel has proved this season that he’s more than just a backup option. His consistent performances, tactical discipline and ability to deliver in both halves of the pitch have made him one of Boro’s quiet success stories. Yet the silence on his contract status is telling. Middlesbrough clearly have long-term plans for the right-back position — and while Dijksteel has made a compelling case to be part of them, the club must now decide if his rise has come in time to earn a new deal.
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