Jérémie Aliadière’s three-year stint at Middlesbrough represents a significant chapter in the Frenchman’s career, marking his first sustained period as a Premier League regular after years in Arsenal’s shadows.
Aliadière would go on to make 86 appearances across all competitions for Boro, scoring 12 goals and providing 11 assists during a period of transition for the North East club. His time at Middlesbrough encompassed both Premier League football and Championship experience following the club’s relegation in 2009, with the Frenchman’s pace, technical ability, and work ethic making him a notable figure in the club’s recent history.
Aliadière caught up with MyBettingSites in an exclusive interview, to talk about his time in North Yorkshire.
The Arsenal Connection and Arrival at the Riverside
Aliadière spent his formative years in London after joining the Gunners at just 16 years old. Despite his talent, the young Frenchman struggled to establish himself as a regular starter under Arsène Wenger, finding himself behind world-class strikers in the pecking order. After loan spells at Celtic, West Ham United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aliadière finally secured a permanent move away from North London when Middlesbrough came calling in 2007.
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate had been tracking Aliadière for some time, even attempting to sign him in January 2007, but Arsenal’s injury problems with Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie meant Wenger was unwilling to let him leave mid-season. By the summer, however, the deal was back on.
Southgate was clear about why he wanted Aliadière, with Lamb explaining: “He fits perfectly the sort of player Gareth wants to bring to the club. He has pace and energy, and he is young with his best years in front of him.” The then-24-year-old forward was not viewed as a direct replacement for departing striker Mark Viduka, who had joined Newcastle, but rather as part of a rebuilding of Middlesbrough’s attack.
Premier League Regular Under Southgate
Aliadière’s first season at Middlesbrough (2007-08) saw him quickly establish himself as a regular starter. He made 29 Premier League appearances, starting 26 of those games, and contributed five goals and six assists. This regular first-team football was exactly what Aliadière had been craving after years of limited opportunities at Arsenal.
“I’ll always be grateful to Middlesbrough because they gave me an opportunity at the time. All I wanted to do was play weekly in the Premier League and they gave me an opportunity to do so. Gareth Southgate was a great manager and a great man. He let me express myself,” Aliadière reflected on his time under the former England defender’s management.
The 2007-08 campaign saw Aliadière clock up 2,169 minutes of Premier League action, more than he had managed in his entire Arsenal career. He was becoming an established top-flight player, using his pace and movement to create problems for opposition defences. His technical education at Arsenal was evident in his play, though he was now adapting to a different style of football at Middlesbrough.
Memorable Moments and Teammates
Among the highlights of Aliadière’s time at Middlesbrough were his performances against his former club Arsenal. The emotional complexity of facing the team where he spent his formative years was something Aliadière has spoken about candidly.
“Scoring against Arsenal twice was special even though in my heart it felt wrong. But I was proud to score and it was special. I had to leave Arsenal but I left because I knew I could deliver, score goals and play in the Premier League,” he has reflected. These goals against his former club represented a vindication of his decision to leave North London in search of regular football.
During his time at Middlesbrough, Aliadière had the opportunity to play alongside several talented teammates, but one in particular made a lasting impression on him. “One player that was training with us was Mendieta. He was incredible and he was at the end of his career. His passing, vision and the technical ability he had was incredible,” Aliadière shared about Spanish midfielder Gaizka Mendieta, who was in the latter stages of his career at Middlesbrough during Aliadière’s early time at the club.
Departure and Lasting Connection
“It was a great three years there and in the starting 11 weekly. It was amazing,” Aliadière said about his overall experience at Middlesbrough, despite the challenges of relegation and injury problems. His appreciation for the regular playing time he received at the club is clearly a defining aspect of how he views that chapter of his career.
Aliadière’s time at Middlesbrough came to an end in 2010, with injuries having complicated the latter part of his stint with the club. After leaving, he found himself without a club until March 2011, when he returned to his native France to sign for Lorient. However, even after his departure, the connection between Aliadière and Middlesbrough remained strong.
In what speaks volumes about the club’s character, Middlesbrough allowed Aliadière to use their training facilities after his contract had ended, helping him maintain his fitness as he looked for a new team.
This gesture from Middlesbrough demonstrates the mutual respect that existed between the player and club, extending beyond the formal contractual relationship. It’s a testament to how Aliadière was valued as both a player and a person during his time on Teesside.
As Aliadière himself has stated, his three years at Middlesbrough were “amazing,” offering him the regular football he had long sought. For fans of the club, he remains a symbol of a particular era in their recent history, one that—despite its ultimate disappointments—featured moments of quality and excitement from their French forward.
