Chelsea manager Scolari signals a return to hands-on approach in training

Not really the weather for a tracksuit - which was why Luiz Felipe Scolari chose to wear shorts and a T-shirt as he guided his squad through their first session in the stadium where they will play Guangzhou Pharmaceutical on Wednesday on the first round of their Asia tour.

Short measures: Scolari adopts summer wear but a tracksuit mentality for his new job

But, choice of wardrobe aside, watching Big Phil impose his coaching style on his new squad it is clear the days of the hands-on tracksuit manager have well and truly returned to Chelsea.

A light fitness session - mercifully for the players given the sweltering conditions - was followed by set-piece practice, with Frank Lampard delivering the corners.

Then came possession work on a half-size pitch, some shooting practice and a lengthy warm down. The common denominator? The presence of Scolari in the thick of the action, barking orders and wagging a finger as he trotted up and down the turf seemingly unaffected by the sticky evening air.

As if to emphasis how seriously the 59-year-old Brazilian takes his physical condition, he even did a few laps of the pitch as his players stretched their muscles after training.

It is all a far cry from the Avram Grant observational approach, which prompted jibes about his only role in a training session being to put the cones out.

Even powerhouse midfielder Michael Essien seemed impressed with Scolari's dedication to fitness as he shed a pint of perspiration while talking to reporters. 'I think our new boss is really strong,' said Essien.

'If you see his c.v. I think it speaks for itself. He's a big man, a good person and we're all glad to have him here. He'll help a lot.'

Essien has escaped a training ground tongue lashing so far, despite Scolari being renowned for his sergeant-major style.

But the Ghana midfielder is buzzing after a few weeks' work with a manager clearly in tune with the psyche of the modern footballer. 'He's a tough guy during the games but he's friendly off the pitch,' said the softly spoken Essien.

'He likes to talk to his players all the time. It's good to have him on the pitch in training, telling us what to do.

'He has his own way of managing this team and it's good for the players and the club. He's similar to Mourinho. If he feels something, he stops the game and tells you what he feels.'

The comparisons with Mourinho may not sit too well with billionaire owner Roman Abramovich given their stormy relationship. But, as Sir Alex Ferguson mischievously pointed out, it is The Special One's reputation that Scolari must live up to if he is to bring the trophies back to Stamford Bridge.

As Ferguson also pointed out, some of Chelsea's squad may be getting long in the tooth. But if their manager can follow a training session with a jog, there will be no opportunity for the players to take their foot of the gas - whatever their age.

Chelsea are keen to lower the average age of their squad with the acquisition of Real Madrid's 24-year-old forward Robinho. Famous for his skill with the ball at his feet, Robinho was not part of Scolari's Brazil team that lifted the World Cup in 2002.

If Robinho decides to swap the Bernabeu for Stamford Bridge he should prepare to leave the tricks to one side and march to the beat of Chelsea's tracksuited taskmaster.