Big Phil has his players buzzing

Some of the squad have had Euro 2008 to get memories of John Terry's penalty miss out of their system, but the summer has dragged on for all those not involved in the competition, especially for the captain himself.

Since then, the news of Scolari's appointment has been confirmed and, just as it used to be on the first day at school, the players who turned up for training yesterday didn't know what to expect from the Brazilian.

Those involved in Euro 2008 had a stay of execution as they have a few more days away on holiday, yet their team-mates are bound to have informed them that a new special one has arrived. For Scolari wasted no time in getting the group together at a meeting to reassure them that he and his new coaching team are at Stamford Bridge for one reason only and that is to bring success to the club.

Flanked by his trusted aides, assistant manager Flavio Teixeira, fitness coach Darlan Schneider, goalkeeping coach Carlos Pracidelli and coach Steve Clarke, he ensured everyone knew that they were all in it together.

His speech may have lasted only 10 minutes, yet it was enough time for the players to be convinced this was a man who meant business.

A source close to one of the players revealed how they were all left "buzzing" and full of energy following their first encounter with the 59-year-old, which would have proved useful as they then had to undergo a series of routine medical and fitness tests.

Ashley Cole certainly seemed to revel in Scolari's first day on the job having admitted: "He seems like a good and fair guy. Really exciting times are ahead. We are looking forward to a new start and already have new signings like Deco and Jose Bosingwa."

Much of the talk surrounding Scolari's methods in his previous roles as Portugal and Brazil coach has been about how he acts as a father figure and likes to build strong bonds with each member of his squad. His new players got a taste for it themselves as he spent time with each one as they went from test to test.

Joe Cole was pictured looking at ease with his new manager as he underwent an eyesight examination.

The former Brazil coach made sure he was aware of everything that was going on and had plenty of time to talk to his players on an individual basis. However, he knows that there are many issues and challenges ahead and that's just in the six weeks between now and the club's first game of the season against Portsmouth.

His next tough task is to face the world media at his official unveiling this afternoon and it will give him a chance to send out a message to Chelsea's rivals in the hunt for trophies and to those clubs interested in signing their best players.

Both Milan clubs continue to hover over influential duo Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, but that won't stop Scolari from fighting to keep them.

He will be quizzed over both players' futures and is expected to give a defiant response. Drogba seemed certain to leave the club after the events of last season and yet he arrived at the club's training ground yesterday with his passport in order for him to get a visa to allow him to leave on the pre-season tour to China on 20 July with the rest of his team-mates.

Inter Milan are really stepping up their interest in Lampard, who has scored 110 goals since he joined from West Ham for £11million in 2001, but his departure for the San Siro is not assured.

Keeper Petr Cech is certainly hoping Scolari's influence can ensure the England international remains at the club.

He said: "It is always difficult to replace a player who has scored 20 goals from midfield every year for the past four seasons.

"He is still negotiating so I hope it will come to a good end. We always welcome players of his quality and he has been one of the key players for Chelsea since he came. I hope they will find a solution for him to stay."

If Lampard stays, it will ensure that the congestion that exists in midfield continues, what with Scolari having added Deco to the nine midfielders already on the staff.

There is room for many of them as he is known to favour a 4-2-3-1 formation, although will not be able to work on his tactics until all his players return from their holidays.

Midfielder Michael Essien though, is all too aware that his new manager will have many tough selection decisions to make next season, even if the expected departures of Steve Sidwell and Shaun Wright-Phillips take place.

He said: "It won't be easy for the new manager to pick his team because we've got a lot of good midfield players.

"It's difficult to be on the bench, but we all respect each other and have to realise that we can't play all the games.

"We are all different kind of players - everybody has his qualities. I think it's good to have every kind of midfielder when you are at a club like Chelsea so you can adapt to any situation or system."

Scolari has already impressed upon his players that this is just the beginning of what he hopes will be a successful reign in south west London. Today he'll be trying to attempt the same feat with a more sceptical audience - the nation's press.