Boro won’t let Adama wing it
wonderful ball skills. The 21-year-old is already on Chelsea’s radar and Karanka is aware Middlesbrough could have a fight on their hands to keep him.
But he also says that, for all his potential, Traore remains a rough diamond who needs to be coached and coaxed.
That is why he will be in his fellow Spaniard’s ear again when Boro take on Tottenham today at White Hart Lane.
“I hope that one day he can play alone but at the moment he needs guidance,” said Karanka.
“But he needs less than he did a month ago because he is intelligent and is learning. Sometimes he tries to fool me and claims he doesn’t understand where he needs to be on the pitch when we don’t have the ball. But I know he knows.”
Traore has become a Riverside favourite with his surging runs and ability to beat opponents but Karanka wants him to become more of a team player.
He added: “He needs to always be living the game. In his first match, he took the ball and it was just for him but now he’s linking with players and is more involved. He has to keep this going because he can be a great player.”
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, meanwhile, has told his players they must finish second if they cannot topple Chelsea.
Pochettino wants his men to learn from their failure to finish runners-up last season when defeat at Newcastle on the final day let in Arsenal.
Pochettino seems resigned to finishing behind Chelsea, who are nine points ahead of Tottenham.
“We are now in a similar position to last season,” he said. “We are going forward and every season we find different motivation and different ways to play and improve the team. We are very happy the way we are and with the timeline in a process to be bigger than we are.
“From last season, we have improved our results, but it is not enough. For me, the most important thing is if Chelsea give us the possibility.
“Last season, we arrived at the last game second in the table but finished third.
“It is up to us. All we can do is be there if the possibility is there.
“If Chelsea drop results, we need to be ready to take their place. That is one lesson. It is up to us, always.
“If Chelsea lose, not another team take our place.”