Mineiro admits he hadn't worked with Luiz Felipe Scolari before signing with Chelsea.

The former Hertha Berlin midfielder told chelseafc.com: "I knew him before as an opponent when he was a coach in Brazil but I didn't know him with the Brazilian team. He is very well respected and loved by all Brazilians, including myself. He is a wonderful professional and I am happy to be here working with him and I am sure we will do great work together.

"He is a coach that tries to protect his group, he is very protective and tries to help in every area he can so the group can get better.

"He is a great person and tries to be very correct in everything he does, professional and personal. That's what we knew about him in Brazil. He is a man manager and I believe that's what people see in him at Chelsea now, being a good person in everything he does."