Aitor Karanka orders Middlesbrough star to do this against Tottenham

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Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has ordered Adama Traore to be within earshot of him against Spurs

At half-time, he tells the 21-year-old to switch flanks so he can hear his manager's instructions.

The former Barcelona youngster is a huge talent with explosive pace and wonderful ball-skills. He is already on Chelsea's radar and Karanka is aware Middlesbrough could have a fight on their hands to keep him.

But he also knows that, for all his rich potential, he remains a rough diamond who needs to be coached and coaxed.

That is why he will be in his ear against Tottenham at White Hart Lane today.

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Traore has been attracting interest from Chelsea after impressing for Boro

"I hope that one da 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 that he knows!"

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, meanwhile, has told his players they must finish second if they cannot topple Chelsea.

The Tottenham boss 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.

But Pochettino now seems resigned to finishing behind Chelsea who are currently nine points ahead of Spurs.

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Mauricio Pochettino has urged Tottenham to at least finished second if they cannot catch Chelsea

"We are now in a similar position to last season," said the Tottenham manager.

"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 the timeline in a process to be bigger than we are.

"From last season, we improve our results, but it is not enough. For me the most important thing is if Chelsea give the possibility.

"Last season, we arrived at the last game second in the table, but we finished third.

"It is up to us. All we can do for us is to 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."

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