Big Phil faces big task

Scolari, who coached Portugal for the final time in their 3-2 Euro 2008 quarter-final defeat against Germany, will take up his new role in England on July 1, but there are fears Lampard could be set to join Inter.

Those fears were heightened when former Blues boss Mourinho revealed he is planning a raid on Chelsea for both Lampard and striker Didier Drogba.

Mourinho, who is also keen to sign Barcelona's Deco - whom he managed at Porto - said: "I am not nostalgic but I really like those three players, they helped me win some great titles.

"I cannot forget Deco, Lampard and Drogba. These are players who I could never say no to. I would love to work with them again in the future, but I am not too obsessed with this idea. I don't know which of these three will leave their clubs but we will see."

Mourinho's comments come amid reports Lampard's talks over a new Chelsea contract have hit a snag over the duration of the new deal.

And, according to Italian media reports, Inter have already offered the former West Ham player a five-year deal.

Lampard knows this could be the last big contract of his career. He wants Chelsea to extend his deal, which expires next summer, by another four years. Chelsea are understood to have offered two years.

Lampard's future became further clouded when agent Franco Granello claimed he was acting for the player and would meet with Inter's bosses in the next 10 days.

The midfielder is currently away on holiday and his affairs are normally the preserve of English-based agent Steve Kutner.