SCOLARI TALKS THE TALK

Felipe Scolari made his debut in front of the English media on Tuesday afternoon in Cobham, and use of the local tongue was not kept exclusively for the questioning.

Demonstrating a sound first touch and even the odd juggling skill with the English language, the new Chelsea manager slipped back into Portuguese only when facing an odd enquiry from the overseas press.

As first Chelsea press conferences go, this was far closer to José Mourinho's than Claudio Ranieri's when it came to speaking foreign words.

The former Portugal and Brazil national coach began by detailing the reasons behind his move back into club management after seven years, and for the first time, on the London stage.

'It is a new challenge in my life, 'Scolari explained, photo flash bulbs firing in numbers that would shame a Rio carnival.

'I don't think in my life I have had an opportunity like the one Chelsea gave me now.

'When I accepted this invitation, I was thinking about my life as a coach. I think it is the right time. I know everything about football in England. I saw many games from England and I thought that one time maybe I will be there. Now I am, I am happy.

'I have a good staff here who provide me with much information. I am ready to start my job in Chelsea and in England.

'I am a coach that respects my players,' he continued. 'I like my players to feel a family. I give them all that they need and I want back respect for me, my staff and the club. I want dedication and I want the players to come to training and games happy because football is beautiful. Only a few can play it [professionally].

It didn't take long for some big summer stories to be raised - including the transfer speculation that has surrounded Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

'I met Frank Lampard yesterday and spoke to him,' Scolari revealed. 'I like him as a player, as a person and I asked him if he wants to stay in Chelsea, not only this season but for longer.

'He said that he wants to stay and play for Chelsea for many years. And I am very happy with that because I think Chelsea needs Lampard and Lampard likes Chelsea. Now it is small questions to solve it and I think Lampard is with us for more time than one year.

'I also spoke to Didier Drogba yesterday because he has a little problem in the knee and I asked him what happens and how many times he needs to stay out of normal training.

'I saw him happy. He is in my plans not 100 per cent, but 200 per cent. I will tell you something: two years ago I voted for Drogba as one of the best players in the world. And three years ago I chose John Terry. Now they are with me I am happy.'

Scolari confirmed Terry would remain as the Chelsea club captain with Lampard vice-captain.

'Yesterday John Terry came to my room and introduced himself and I said it's okay, I know who you are! I like him as a player and a leader. But we want more captains than Terry and Lampard inside the team.'

Moving on from those in the current squad who do feature in his plans, Scolari explained he'll take time before deciding on any wholesale moves in and out of the club.

'I need to train and know the players. When you are the outside, you have one idea, when you are inside the group, you know the character and the quality. Only after this is it possible to say how many new players I want or need.

'I was a club manager in Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Japan, it is not too different from a national team.

'You receive the players three days-a-month as a national coach. In a club you work everyday with the players and you know more about them.

'There are only little differences and it will not be difficult for me.'

The experienced Brazilian took control of his own country's best players in 2001 with the side in danger of not qualifying for a World Cup they eventually won.

As ever with Brazil, the football played was held up in comparison to the samba soccer of 1970 - still the sport's most iconic action. Scolari insists his philosophy on the way the game should be played has not changed during his long career.

'If it is possible to play beautiful football and win, it is what both I and the people want. We will try to play beautiful football and sure I want both to win and play beautiful - but some games it is impossible if you want to win.

'We train everyday to build more quality and I will try this with my players.

'The challenge at the time I took over Brazil was more difficult because Brazil were in a bad situation and Chelsea is not in a bad situation, it is in a good situation.

'The pressure from media is the same all over the world. If you are coach in Brazil, you know what is pressure!' the new man smiled, dropping his shoulders in a way befitting someone who knows first hand.

'I think I am prepared. I haven't had problems with the media in my life. I don't think I'll have a problem here.

Following on from the famous Mourinho 'Special One' self-description on his introduction to England, it was inevitable Scolari would be asked if he too fell into the same category.

'Yes!' he answered emphatically to much laughter, before further qualification.

'I am special for my friends, for my family, for my country - not more. As a manager, so-so!' The laughter and the spoken English continued.