Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson has received a boost from Sven Goran Eriksson.
Sven Goran Eriksson has revealed that he sees Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson as a player for the future.
The Swede may be leaving the England job after this summer's World Cup finals but, in an interview with the Italian press, he explained why he has been in Rome, earmarking wide man Johnson as clearly somebody with great potential.
With the teenager impressing during Boro's defeat to Charlton last weekend, he could emerge as a long-term option for the left flank role under the next manager.
He could even be fast-tracked into training with the senior squad, as has happened with promising youngsters in the past.
After being linked with the Juventus job in some quarters, the former Lazio coach was happy to explain the reasons behind his trip to the Italian capital.
"Now I only think to have a great World Cup," he told Corriere dello Sport. "Then we will talk about me.
"I'm here to see Middlesbrough.
"They are a team with a few interesting players, like Stewart Downing. And then there is also Johnson, a really good guy, who anyway didn't play."
As for the Juventus link, which suggested he could head for Turin if Fabio Capello goes to Real Madrid, Eriksson was keen to play down the reports.
"Juve? I have not got an agreement with anyone," he reiterated.
"A few days ago, I said that I would willingly come back to Italy.
"And it's a possibility because everything is possible in life, but I don't say I will go to Juve."
