Adama Traore has been the shining star in Tony Pulis’ Middlesbrough side this season.

The 22-year-old has almost single headedly got Boro into the play-offs this campaign, where they face Aston Villa tomorrow at The Riverside.

The Spaniard's pace, power and trickery has made him very hard to play against, and has gained him a lot of attention and interest from bigger clubs, including Chelsea.

With a slight lack of creativity in the final third this season for Antonio Conte’s side, Adama Traore is the king of making something out of nothing, and could be a Premier League footballer next season, with or without Middlesbrough.

Chelsea have scored just 62 goals this season, by far the least out of the top six Premier League sides. Adama Traore has found the net five times but has contributed ten assists, making him an ideal candidate for the Blues front line.

Here is three things that Chelsea fans need to know about Adama Traore with their side linked...

Adama Traore started out his career with La Liga giants Barcelona. After ten years in their youth system, the Spanish youngster played largely for their reserve side, before making his debut for the first team in 2013, after replacing Neymar in a 4-0 victory over Granada CF.

The 22-year-old made 63 appearances for the Barcelona B team, but managed to make just one appearance for the first team before signing for Aston Villa in 2015, and then Middlesbrough the year later.

Traore has represented his nation of Spain across a wide range of levels, but has never made a senior appearance.

The Spaniard has the option to represent Mali at international level, but has played for Spain at Under-16, Under-17, Under 19 and Under-21 levels to date, making a combined 18 appearances.

Traore made his debut for the Under-21 side in March 2018 as a substitute in a 5-3 win away to Northern Ireland in a 2019 UEFA European Championship qualifier.

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis is notorious for his not so pretty football, but while he has Adama Traore at his disposal, he has his side playing some scintillating football.

Traore, while he is a default winger, is given the freedom to roam the pitch and often finds himself in central positions. Picking up the ball deep and driving past helpless defenders is the Spaniard's bread and butter, and even the best in England’s top flight would find it hard to stop.