Why Ryan Shotton shouldn't be compared to Rudy Gestede after abrupt Middlesbrough exit

After signing for the club from Birmingham City in the summer of 2017, the versatile defender hardly played under Gary Monk, the manager in charge when Shotton joined the Teessiders.

Whether the centre-back was Monk’s signing or was simply brought in to fill a defensive void is debatable, especially as Boro’s spending spree appeared to spiral out of control that summer.

Yet, despite a sticky start, Shotton calved out a decent career on Teesside.

He wasn’t the most complimented player during his time at the club, yet the defender was often a solid option, making 84 appearances over three contrasting campaigns.

After featuring just twice under Monk, Shotton became a first-team regular under Tony Pulis in the second half of the 2017/18 season, usually starting on the right of a back four.

Shotton will be the first to admit his game is more suited to a centre-back role, yet Pulis’ desire to play with a more defensive full-back was significant.

While allowing him regular game time, a change of position also opened Shotton up to criticism, especially when he was playing behind the exciting but raw Adama Traore, a player who didn’t have the most defensive mindset.

Shotton may not have convinced every Boro supporter, yet he would always follow his manager’s instructions, even at the start of the 2019/20 season when Jonathan Woodgate encouraged his defenders to play out from the back.

It was a style of play which didn’t suit Shotton and always made it unlikely he’d be offered a new contract this summer.

Yet the experienced defender still produced some impressive performances during an injury-hit campaign, not least that outstanding showing at Millwall last week which helped Boro move out of the relegation zone.

That display came after Shotton’s contract had expired, yet, like Adam Clayton, George Friend and Marvin Johnson, the defender agreed to try and complete the season with the Teessiders.

For that reason, despite some suggestions on social media, the defender can’t be compared to Rudy Gestede, a player who clearly wasn’t fully committed to Boro and was sent home by Neil Warnock within days of the manager’s arrival.

Shotton’s performance at Millwall and willingness to play against Bristol City, when Warnock admitted the defender was ‘in bits’, showed he was still prepared to fight for the cause for those fixtures.

Yes it’s disappointing the defender then decided he was at risk of getting injured and didn’t want to jeopardise his chances of finding a new club.

Boro were still in a precarious position before the Reading win and now have even less options to play at centre-back heading into Saturday’s game with Cardiff.

Yet, as Warnock also admitted, Shotton’s stance was understandable given the player’s contract had expired and he wasn’t going to be offered a new deal.

Whatever you thought of him, Shotton will need replacing when Boro look to rebuild this summer.