Juninho has warned former club Middlesbrough about the threat of Chelsea star Oscar ahead of their FA Cup fifth round tie this evening.
The 21-year-old is set to start for the Blues during their Riverside visit, alongside compatriot Ramires, as they battle to face Manchester United in the next round.
Juninho, who is considered one of Boro’s finest ever players, believes his fellow Brazilian has the skill and mentality to prosper in English football.
The 39-year-old told Boro’s REDSQUARE programme: “I have seen him develop and the young lad has lots of ability, but he also has a very good attitude as well because he has no fears.
“Oscar is not physically the strongest but he is very brave. I have never seen him be intimidated by his opponents, even though there are tough guys in Brazilian football.
“He is the sort of player who always keeps coming back for more, no matter how many times he is knocked down. He is a wonderful playmaker who is always there for his team-mate; he gets the ball, gets forward and he also has great vision.”
The Ituano president, who recently formed an official link with Middlesbrough, also believes that the presence of fellow natives Ramires and David Luiz will help Oscar.
Juninho added: “It will help him that Ramires and Luiz are there because they helped him settle in at Chelsea.
“I am sure that he will do very well at Chelsea. The fans like Ramires and I can see why because he has become one of their most important players, but they will like Oscar even more because he is more attack-minded than Ramires.”
