It is just three weeks since he destroyed Leicester City in a Premiership match and there is every danger that he will do so again in the Coca-Cola Cup final. Stopping Juninho is the key to a Leicester success. Martin O'Neill, City's manager, has not been the only person focusing on him. The covetous eyes of several European clubs are being cast his way, with Valencia said to be preparing a pounds 7m bid. Should Juninho continue his magnificent recent form in front of tomorrow's worldwide television audience he may do more than propel Middlesbrough into Europe for the first time. He could secure a lucrative overseas deal for himself as well.This would be a loss to the English game as well as Middlesbrough, and not just because Juninho is a delight to watch.
His arrival, at a cost of pounds 4.75m, from Sao Paulo in November 1995, was a significant step in the revival of the English game. He was the first real talent to have chosen the Premiership in preference to Serie A. Previous imports, like Dennis Bergkamp, Jurgen Klinsmann and Ruud Gullit, had either failed there, or passed their prime.Since Juninho arrived Emerson, Gianfranco Zola and Roberto Di Matteo have followed while Alan Shearer has chosen to stay. To leave Middlesbrough, especially for an underachieving club like Valencia, would suggest Juninho saw England as a finishing school, not a destination.In fact Juninho is more likely to leave Boro if they lose. While failure to get into Europe - and there is a second chance in the FA Cup - may make him consider his position, success would simply confirm his desire to stay.For one of the most attractive aspects of the 24-year-old is his clear commitment to his employers. Unlike Emerson there was never any doubt that he would be back on time from his midweek trip to Brazil for international dutyBrian Marwood, the former England international, now involved in work for the media and the Professional Footballers' Association, said: "Middlesbrough's problems with Ravanelli and Emerson have been well documented but Juninho has just got on with life. He is one of the best of all the foreign imports, he has adapted with very few complaints."The Middlesbrough staff say he is an absolute dream to work with.
He is fantastic technically but his attitude and commitment in adapting to England has been first class.''Frank Clark, whose Manchester City team were knocked out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough, added: "There is none of the `big star' about him. When I have seen him, on and off the pitch, it has come over what a great bloke he is. He is one of the lads and very respectful to other people.''This, and the support of his family, several of whom have moved to Teeside, helped him overcome early problems. Juninho arrived to a rapturous reception but it was not long before the club's form began to slide. After a successful debut, Middlesbrough, then newly promoted, were sixth. With the onset of winter they went into free-fall losing eight League games on the spin and going 14 without a win.
Juninho struggled to integrate himself into a team which had suddenly been found out by the extra quality of the Premiership.Two late wins ensured survival, but their mid-table respectability masked serious problems, notably in defence. The signings of Ravanelli and Emerson failed to address these and the club slipped to bottom this season.Then Gianluca Festa and Mark Schwarzer arrived and Nigel Pearson recovered from injury. Suddenly Middlesbrough were gaining enough of the ball to allow Juninho to play. He had done well sporadically but, for the last month, he has been outstanding, lifting Boro out of the bottom three and within three matches of a cup double."He'll be a problem," Clark said "He is a world-class player at the top of his form Against us he got away just once and that was it He is a wonderful player with a wonderful attitude. He is probably most dangerous when he is running at people with the ball, once he is in his stride he is very difficult to shake off.''"Technically he is like Zola," Marwood said "Both feet are so quick. His control and touch gives him more space than other players.