Diego Fabbrini has been dubbed Boroââ¬â¢s very own ââ¬ÅMaradonaâ⬠and is the perfect replacement for Lee Tomlin, according to Ghana winger Albert Adomah.
Adomah paid aà glowing verdict on his new Boro teammate, who produced a scintillating display at Oldham Athletic on Wednesday.
The on-loan Watford midfielder was given a half-hour introduction off the bench at Preston on Sunday, playing through a killer pass for Adomah that almost led to a Boro winner.
Fabbrini followed that up with a sparkling full debut at the League One Latics, winning a first-half penalty and setting up Cristhian Stuaniââ¬â¢s first goal as Boro eased into the Capital One Cup second round.
The Italian playmaker, who Adomah has nicknamed Maradona in respect of his ability, seems to have the world at his feet - and has already made quite an impression among his teammates.
When asked about Fabbrini, Adomah said: ââ¬ÅDiego Maradona? Heââ¬â¢s unbelievable.
ââ¬ÅThatââ¬â¢s my nickname for him. Diego is so skilful, and if you give him a chance heââ¬â¢s so clever and will create chances for the team.
ââ¬ÅSometimes it may look like heââ¬â¢s being selfish, but heââ¬â¢s still taking two or three players out of the game. Heââ¬â¢s entertaining but (also) doing hard work creating chances - heââ¬â¢s not just showboating for the sake of it.
ââ¬ÅLast weekend when he put me through on goal (at Preston) I should have scored, but thatââ¬â¢s what we need - clever players.
ââ¬ÅWeââ¬â¢ve basically replaced Lee Tomlin in a way, and (Fabbrini) is more skilful so it helps the team.
ââ¬ÅIn training heââ¬â¢s always like that. He goes in for tackles, he wants the ball, he wants to do everything.
ââ¬ÅI remember last season when we played Millwall, (Aitor Karanka) was on our case saying ââ¬Ëjust watch out for this playerââ¬â¢.
ââ¬ÅBasically the teamtalk was about Fabbrini, believe it or not. It shows the calibre that the player is, and hopefully the supporters will see that even more.ââ¬
Fabbrini, who won his only Italian cap against England in 2012, is expected to start against Bolton tomorrow in Boroââ¬â¢s first home match of the new campaign.
And fans will hope the livewire forms a sizzling partnership with Stewart Downing, who is also set to return to the starting line-up for his first match back at the Riverside.
ââ¬ÅI like (Fabbrini), I like his character and his personality,â⬠said Boro head coach Aitor Karanka.
ââ¬ÅFor this reason I think heââ¬â¢ll be a very important player for us this season. Heââ¬â¢s the kind of player that I like because he can calm the tempo and make good passes through to the strikers.ââ¬
Boro boasted the joint best home record in the Championship last season along with Bournemouth and Ipswich.
Credit: Gazettelive