Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg has stated his desire to keep forward David Strelec at the club. The declaration follows Boro's 3-1 Carabao Cup second round victory away at Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night, a match in which the Slovakian international made a late substitute appearance. Hellberg's comments come with the summer transfer window set to close next week and amid speculation linking the £6 million signing with a move to Greek side PAOK Salonika.
Speaking after the cup tie, the Swedish manager was direct about his intentions for the player. "I see David here. I think David is a brilliant footballer, and I hope he is here," Hellberg said. Strelec joined Middlesbrough from Slovan Bratislava in September 2025 for a significant fee and has since made 36 appearances across all competitions, contributing eight goals and one assist. Despite this output, his future has become a topic of discussion as the deadline approaches, with Hellberg clearly keen to retain his services for the Championship campaign.
The cup win provided the backdrop for Hellberg's admission. Middlesbrough progressed to the third round with a 3-1 scoreline, avenging a heavy home defeat to the same opponents in last season's competition. Goals from Kyle Joseph, Will Lankshear, and Jeremy Sarmiento secured the victory for the Championship side. Doncaster Rovers, who currently sit 20th in League One with just one point from their opening two games, managed a consolation goal. Hellberg acknowledged a nervy opening period at the Keepmoat Stadium. "It was a little bit of a shaky start in the first ten or 12 minutes, but then I thought we were quite good and created a lot of chances," he noted, adding that he was slightly disappointed not to keep a clean sheet.
For Doncaster Rovers, the cup exit comes during a challenging start to their League One season. They have one point from two matches, with a goal difference of minus one after scoring once and conceding twice. This leaves them five points behind early leaders Bradford City. Their immediate focus shifts to the league and an important away fixture against 19th-placed Stevenage this Saturday. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on our fixtures page and view the latest standings.
The coming days will be decisive for Strelec's immediate future. With the transfer window closing soon, Middlesbrough will need to fend off any concrete interest to keep the 39-cap Slovakian. Hellberg's public endorsement is a clear signal of the player's standing within his plans. For Doncaster Rovers, attention turns fully to improving their league position. The squad will look to build momentum in their next fixture as they seek their first win of the campaign to climb the table.
