Aitor Karanka always had belief in Middlesbrough revival
Aitor Karanka has admitted there were times during his three-year reign at the Riverside Stadium when he questioned his "crazy" conviction that he could turn Middlesbrough back into a Premier League force.
Karanka was seen as a high-risk appointment when he replaced Tony Mowbray as manager in October 2013 with the club languishing in 16th place in the Championship.
But the Spaniard will lead his side out against high-flying Chelsea on Sunday with Boro having already proved they belong in the top flight by claiming gutsy points away to Arsenal and Manchester City this season.
Karanka said: "When I came here the team was not in a good way but it felt like I could do something nice here because the chairman, the crowd and the area deserved to be in the Premier League.
"I felt that I could do it, but sometimes I went home thinking I was crazy (thinking) we were going to get promotion - but finally we are in the Premier league.
"As a manager you can't think long-term. As a player you dream of winning titles or trophies or leagues, but as a manager I never go to my house thinking I can be here in 10 or 15 years, because my only concern now is (the match against) Chelsea."
Karanka has a doubt over defender George Friend who suffered a knee injury in training with Brazilian Fabio standing by to replace him in the starting line-up. Dani Ayala is still out with a hamstring strain but Gaston Ramirez is back from suspension.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says Diego Costa is this season demonstrating that he is one of the best strikers in the world.
Costa, prolific in Chelsea's 2014-15 title success and at times profligate and petulant in last season's 10th-placed finish, has scored nine goals as the resurgent Blues enter this weekend's Premier League resumption second in the table.
The striker withdrew from international duty with Spain with a groin problem but returned to training on Wednesday and could start at Middlesbrough on Sunday, with a rousing endorsement from his head coach to keep doing what he is doing.
"Diego is one of the best strikers in the world," Conte said.
"Diego works a lot with the ball and without the ball. He's an example for all.
"And I want (him) to continue this way. Then, If he continues to score, I'll be very happy.
"But I'm happier to see this commitment, this work-rate during training sessions and during games.
"He must continue to work in this way. If all the players are able to think in this way, we'll be a good team, a very tough team to play."
Chelsea are on a run of five straight wins, scoring 16 goals without reply, ahead of the trip to Teeside.
Conte has again insisted it was premature to set Chelsea's targets for the season.
And he recognises in a competitive league the winning sequence which has featured victories over Hull, Manchester United, Leicester, Southampton and Everton could come to a halt at any time if there is a lapse in focus.
"I'm worried," he added.
"In this situation, it's normal that the focus, the concentration, is a bit low.
"I'm worried to keep during training sessions high intensity and the right spirit.
"In this situation it's important to keep the concentration very high."
Source: PAR
