EMMANUEL LATTE LATH is confident Middlesbrough’s attacking style will play to his strengths and enable him to make a success of his new role as the club’s leading centre-forward.
Latte Lath completed his move from Atalanta earlier this week, signing a four-year deal with an option for a further 12 months, and is set to go straight into the squad for this weekend’s home game with Huddersfield Town.
The Ivorian joins a Boro side that have failed to score in either of their opening two league matches, with the absence of last season’s strike duo, Cameron Archer and Chuba Akpom, leaving a gaping hole in the final third.
Michael Carrick will be hoping Latte Lath can help plug that gap, with the 24-year-old confident he can fit into the free-flowing, attacking style that Boro were evolving under their current head coach last term.
“I hope I can score a lot of goals,” said Latte Lath, who spent last season in the Swiss top-flight on loan at St Gallen. “The way that the team plays can be perfect for me because I have seen how they like to attack. It can be perfect for the way I like to play in my game.
“I like to play as a number nine. I am a striker, and I like to attack. I can play as a winger too, but I think my main strengths are as a number nine.”
The Serie A season does not start until this weekend, so Latte Lath has not had any competitive action since scoring two goals in St Gallen’s 4-0 win over Sion at the end of May.
READ MORE:
- Who is Middlesbrough's new centre-forward Emmanuel Latte Lath?
- Who is Middlesbrough's new left-back Lukas Engel?
He has been involved in pre-season in Italy though, and is confident he is sharp enough to do himself justice if called upon at the weekend.
“I’m happy to be here,” he said, in an interview with Middlesbrough's official website. “Finally, I’m here now – it was a long day and a long transfer. I can’t wait to train and see the fans in the stadium.
“I am ready to play. I think I am ready to start or to come on (as a substitute), but the main thing is that I am ready and I can’t wait for Saturday.”
Latte Lath’s transfer was confirmed on the same day that Boro announced Lukas Engel’s switch from Danish club Silkeborg.
The left-back has joined Boro for a reported fee of around €2m, and is also set to go straight into the squad to face Huddersfield.
He replaces Ryan Giles, who returned to Wolves at the end of last season’s loan deal before going on to make a permanent move to Luton Town, and should offer the same kind of attacking threat as the player who filled Boro’s left-back berth last term.
“I’m an offensive full-back, so hopefully I can see myself fitting into the team well,” said Engel, who started his career playing as a left winger before moving back to full-back. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to create some goals and assists.
“I’ve been here for a few days now, waiting for the papers to get sorted. It’s just about getting the training sessions now, and the first game.”
A former Denmark Under-21 international, Engel has spent the last two years playing in the Danish top-flight and also experienced the Europa Conference League with Silkeborg last season.
However, he regards his move to the Championship as a major step up in his career, and is looking forward to testing himself in England.
“It’s huge for me,” he said. “English football, the Championship, Middlesbrough – it’s amazing and I’m very happy to be here. English football, the Championship, it’s huge in Denmark. As a kid, growing up, you watched Premier League and the Championship – England is just the biggest country to play in. It was a no-brainer to come.
“It’s different to what I’ve been used to. Everything is at a different level over here. Everything seems to be in good order, I have all the things I need to do good things on the pitch. I can’t wait to train with the boys and get to know them all.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel