Scolari to begin his Chelsea reign with Lampard and Carvalho showdown talks

Scolari will have a busy first week ahead of him before the players report back for pre-season training but Lampard's future will be a top priority.  

The Brazilian has already been linked with a number of transfer targets, the latest of which is Real Madrid forward Robinho, but he has the unenviable task of persuading both defender Ricardo Carvalho and Lampard to remain as part of the Chelsea squad.  

Blues brother: Frank Lampard

Yellow peril: Ricardo Carvalho

Lampard has one year remaining on his current contract and the holidaying midfielder has refused to rule out a move to Inter Milan when quizzed over his future.  

The Blues insist they have received no bids from any club for the England international despite reports suggesting Inter Milan are ready to offer him a four-year deal worth £7.1million.  

Lampard, 30, is currently enjoying the sun with his wife and children on a luxury yacht cruising off the coast of Italy.

Lampard looked happy and relaxed as he ate an ice cream and browsed stalls at a street market in Taormina near Catania, Sicily.  

'Inter? Let's wait and see,' said Lampard when questioned about a proposed move. 'For the moment I am here on holiday with my family. My future at Chelsea? I don't know anything yet.  

'Italy is a beautiful country but I am not due to meet anyone here.'  

Scolari also looks as though he will lose defender Carvalho, another target for former Blues boss Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.  

Chelsea were planning to hold contract talks with the Portugal international, who has only just started a holiday because of his involvement in Euro 2008, but Brazilian defender Alcides says he is returning from a loan spell at PSV Eindhoven to replace him at Stamford Bridge.  

Alcides has been on loan at the Dutch club for the last 18 months and said: 'PSV wanted me to stay but I have learned that Chelsea want me back. It seems Carvalho is leaving and I am going to replace him.'  

However, Chelsea continue to be linked with new acquisitions and reports in Spain suggest they are ready to make a £27m move for Robinho.  

Scolari is thought to have targeted the 24-year-old forward who he knew well during his time as coach of Brazil.  

Real deal: Madrid's Brazil forward Robinho

The player's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, has already claimed to have met Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon for talks in May although he may have used them as a bargaining tool to try and get his client a better wage deal at Madrid.  

Robinho's first choice would be to remain with the Spanish club but he wants them to significantly increase his wages while Chelsea would have no problem in offering him the desired terms.  

Cup winner: ex-Chelsea boss Ruud Gullit

Scolari's arrival at Stamford Bridge has been welcomed by former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit.  

The Dutch legend, who originally moved to Stamford Bridge as a player in 1995 before becoming player-manager a year later, is now in charge at Los Angeles Galaxy in the United States.  

'He is the right choice at the moment,' said Gullit. 'I think he is a passionate coach, he does everything with the heart.  

'He tries to win with good football, and he did that with the Brazilian national team   and with Portugal, so he knows how to play.'  

Gullit, who ended Chelsea's 26-year wait for serious silverware by managing them to FA Cup success in 1997, says Scolari has all the necessary qualities to deal with big egos and big names.  

'He has had the Brazilian national team and they are all big stars also, so he will be able to deal with that,' added Gullit. 'He has the experience. It is a big task, but he won the World Cup and he knows how to deal with big tasks.   '

'I think any coach who comes in new needs to have time, you cannot expect immediate results. It will take time to adjust, but I think he will do well.'