Emmanuel Latte Lath has made an impressive start at Atlanta United following his high-profile transfer from Middlesbrough. The striker's exit created a significant stir among fans, especially given the hefty £22.5 million fee that marks an MLS record. Boro supporters had to come to terms with this loss after the 2023 signing, who netted 27 goals in 59 Championship appearances, closed his chapter at the Riverside Stadium.
Latte Lath's transition to Atlanta seems effortless; in just four matches, he has scored three goals, quickly becoming a key player. His debut against CF Montreal was spectacular, where he netted twice in a thrilling 3-2 victory, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess. He continued this streak with a goal against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, though Atlanta suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat.
Currently, Latte Lath's statistics reflect his impactful presence: an average rating of 7.22, an xG of 2.18, and 11 shots across his appearances. As he continues to flourish, questions arise regarding Middlesbrough's decision to part with such a vital player.
The Ivorian's exit left a noticeable gap in Middlesbrough's squad, one that has not been filled adequately by Kelechi Iheanacho, who joined on loan from Sevilla as Latte Lath’s replacement. Despite being a celebrated former Premier League scorer, Iheanacho has failed to start strong at his new club, remaining goalless after seven matches—a stark contrast to Latte Lath's scoring ability.
Lee Hendrie, a pundit and former Aston Villa defender, posits that Middlesbrough will come to regret their decision to sell Latte Lath. He notes how pivotal the striker was to their progression, stating, “Looking at what Latte Lath did while he was at Boro, I felt he added something different because of his pace getting in behind defences…” Hendrie’s insights spotlight concerns over Boro's future ambitions amidst their current struggles.
Latte Lath's departure came at a perilous time for Middlesbrough, who are attempting to reclaim a playoff spot amid inconsistent performance. Despite a five-match losing streak, the team managed to secure a crucial victory—a 3-1 win over Stoke City—ending their slump.
The need for clinical finishing has been illuminated; Middlesbrough's record since Latte Lath's final appearance on January 25 has been underwhelming, with a mere three matches yielding more than one goal. If the team fails to solidify their position among the playoff contenders, the ramifications could be extensive, necessitating a shift in strategy for the summer transfer window.
With their aspirations dangling just three points from the top six, Middlesbrough faces an uphill battle to regain form. The option remains for the club to reinvest the funds from Latte Lath’s sale into securing a new striker or count on the developing talents within their ranks, like Tommy Conway, who has been showing promise but lacks the experience to lead a push for promotion.
Hendrie believes that surrendering a player of Latte Lath's caliber can have lasting consequences, especially during a promotional campaign. He remarked, “Looking back, particularly with this play-off push they've been in, they'll be looking back and thinking they could have got in the play-offs [with Latte Lath]…” reinforcing the notion that attracting a replacement of such stature is no easy task.
In conclusion, Middlesbrough is now in a position where they have to reflect on the choices made during a turbulent campaign. With their focus on climbing up the league table growing increasingly urgent, the pressure mounts as they strive to not only replace the void left by the Ivorian but also reignite their playoff aspirations.
