Birmingham City manager Aitor Karanka says he was labeled as “Insane” when he decided to ditch Albert Adomah for Adama Traore at Middlesbrough.
Karanka stated that his superiors told him he was “mad” as he opted to buy Traore though he already had the Ghanaian in his fold.
“Victor Orta (sports director) and I knew Adama from his time at Barcelona but his signing for Middlesbrough seemed financially unviable. When we proposed to change Adomah for Adama they told me if I was crazy.” Karanka told Marca
“Adomah was a proven winger who had been instrumental in the promotion and Adama was a kid. He came from not playing just for Aston Villa and had had some injuries. I took responsibility because I believed he was worth it and time has shown that I was not so misguided.
“Adama went from being at Barça to seeing himself alone at Aston Villa and suffering a decline. He had a bad time. Coming to Boro with Spanish technical staff and being surrounded by Negredo, Barragán, Valdés helped him a lot.
“He also began that marvelous physical change that he has undergone and that is obvious. I remember that as soon as I arrived, I organised a meeting between his personal coach and the club coach. I was clear: ‘We have a diamond on our hands and we have to polish it’. He added.
Adama who now features for Wolves has gone up to become a star in the Premiership whilst Adomah has spent almost all his years in the Championship.
