Middlesbrough's Jamie Jones decision explained after shock contract move made

Middlesbrough released their retained list last week and while there weren't many major surprises among what was revealed, the one that provided the biggest shock was the one made on goalkeeper Jamie Jones.

Boro's announcement read: "Jamie Jones’ contract is due to expire this summer, though the goalkeeper will remain at Rockliffe to receive treatment on a shoulder injury sustained during the season, with a view to extending his stay."

The decision will have certainly caused an eyebrow or few to be raised. Given Jones recently turned 35 and didn't make a single appearance for Boro in his first season at the club, it wasn't an unreasonable expectation to see him join Paddy McNair and Liam Roberts on the released list this summer. So why doesn't he?

READ MORE: Middlesbrough goalkeeper dilemma as Sol Brynn and Zach Hemming return

It was Roberts who Jones replaced on Teesside 12 months ago after the former Northampton Town shot-stopper decided he wanted to go out and play games. Having played understudy to Zack Steffen the season before, Roberts watched as Boro brought in Seny Dieng and Tom Glover last summer, with most clubs preferring three senior goalkeepers as standard now.

But, as Jones's season proves, been a third-choice goalkeeper is a unique and strange position for a goalkeeper to find themselves in because, but for a serious injury crisis the likes of which even Boro didn't find themselves in last term (which in itself says a lot!) the likelihood is, you won't play much, if at all.

It's for that reason that, despite the fact that Sol Brynn and Zach Hemming return from successful loan spells this summer to give Michael Carrick five senior options in his squad this summer, Boro are still open to handing Jones another contract to remain at the club as third choice.

While supporters will always like to see academy players given a chance - and next season does look likely to be the time at least one of Hemming or Brynn step into the first-team squad as a deputy/cup goalkeeper option at least - ultimately there is a responsibility for Carrick and Boro to develop players while also needing to win week in, week out to achieve the team's goals.

If Brynn and Hemming aren't yet deemed better than Seny Dieng, keeping both at the club this summer is not productive - with both now accustomed to regular first-team football after loan spells over the last two or three seasons. Carrick summed up the goalkeeper dilemma, saying: "We have to choose what's best for the younger ones and what's best for us in terms of what the squad looks like. What's best for them in terms of how we can bring the best out of them and give them the best chance to fulfil their potential."

What absolutely won't be beneficial for either is spending next season as Boro's third-choice goalkeeper where they potentially won't play a single senior game. And that's where Jones's importance comes in.

Now 35, Jones joined Boro well aware of what he was arriving to. After a really respectable career that included captaining Wigan Athletic, he seemed content with his role in the squad, and was always praised for his attitude behind the scenes. A leader with plenty of valuable experience, he was a positive and supportive member of the Boro dressing room throughout.

The third-choice keeper is a relatively modern fad in football and perhaps the most-publicised case is the one of Scott Carson and Manchester City. Last year, he explained: “I’m the third choice goalkeeper. I think it’s half of my job role to help the lads if they need anything.

“The other two lads are playing a lot more games than me and could be called upon at any time so if they want me to do a bit of shooting or crossing I am there to help them. If that means I’m there longer, it’s not a massive thing to do. That’s part of my role to be there to do that.”

In that regard, Boro have their version of Carson in Jones and there remains plenty of merit to convince him to continue in his role - because finding players of that ilk, who can be a positive influence on the team even with little prospect of playing, can be hard to find.

Whether Jones does fancy another move that might present him with more match opportunities remains to be seen. For the time being, he is available to speak to other clubs, but will continue at Boro as he recovers from a shoulder injury that saw him miss the final few games. Boro hope that will result in him extending his stay at the Riverside, however, with Carrick then facing a decision over which two of Dieng, Glover, Brynn and Hemming they carry in their squad next term ahead of him. If it does end up being Brynn or Hemming, the benefits of working with Jones on a daily basis are obvious.