Chelsea boss Scolari ready for media pressure

New Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is no doubt well aware that one of the more taxing and tiresome aspects of working in the Premier League will be the intrusiveness of the tabloid press.
Their penchant for pun-filled snappy headlines and nicknames is likely to grate on Luiz Felipe Scolari - and indeed was reputedly one of the factors that dissuaded him from taking the England manager's job in 2006, when the Football Association were seeking a successor to Sven-Goran Eriksson and eventually settled for Steve McClaren.
Now Scolari, recently announced as Chelsea boss in succession to Avram Grant, says he "will not allow anyone in England or anywhere else" to change his name to 'Big Phil'.
"I might find it hard adapting to the ways of football in England, to the rain, and maybe to the food. But I will do it".
"But one thing I cannot adapt easily to is when they call me Big Phil.
"I don't want to see my name spelled with a 'Ph', I want to see it spelled with an F. It is Felipe, not Phil. I will not allow anyone in England or anywhere else to change my name."

Schalke insist no Chelsea approach for Rakitic

Schalke's general manager Andreas Muller has confirmed the club have not yet received an approach from Chelsea for Croatia winger Ivan Rakitic.
Midfielder Jermaine Jones has also been linked with Manchester United, but Muller insists there have been no offers from the Premier League for the duo.
"Up until now, no club has waved a fat cheque for millions in front of me," Muller said. "Basically we don't want to sell either, and also Schalke is not the worst place for them."

Chelsea up contract offer to Deco

Chelsea have offered improved terms to Deco to beat Inter Milan for the Barcelona midfielder.
Chelsea have offered Deco a deal worth an incredible £92,000-a-week after tax to convince him to move to Stamford Bridge.
The Portugal midfielder is still to choose whether he will join Inter Milan or Chelsea having already decided to bring his four-year spell at Barcelona to an end.
But Chelsea are hoping their massive contract offer, which is 25 per cent more than he received at the Nou Camp, will secure the transfer.

Mourinho determined to clinch Inter deal for Chelsea's Lampard

Jose Mourinho is determined to land Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard for Inter Milan.
The former Chelsea boss was not due to return from a family break for another five days.
But Mourinho was back in Milan last night and told the club he will oversee the Lamps deal.
The Italian giants had a £6.6million offer rejected by Chelsea last week. But Mourinho is desperate to make the England midfielder his first major signing.
Chelsea have told Inter that no deal will be done for Lampard until Phil Scolari has assessed his squad.
The new manager is due to arrive in London tomorrow.

Chelsea, Man Utd target Eto'o ready for Premiership switch

Samuel Eto'o admits there is no way back for him at Barcelona.
Eto'o said: "I have spent four years with Barcelona. The first two years I won everything with the club and the last two have been difficult seasons when I was injured.
"Now I am looking for possibilities - at some point I will take a decision either to look for another club or stay in Barcelona.
"I don't have much to prove with Barcelona. I know I am still marketable and this summer we will meet with the club officials to ensure that I am not pushed."
Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham have all been linked with a move for the talented hitman, who is expected to command a fee of around £15m should Barcelona decide to cash in on him.

Chelsea withdraw Drogba from transfer market

Chelsea have withdrawn Didier Drogba from the transfer market.
AC Milan supremo Adriano Galliani revealed last night: "Chelsea say Drogba is not for sale.
"There is only one deal in motion and that's for Adebayor."

Deco set to become Scolari's first Chelsea signing

Luiz Felipe Scolari is set to make Barcelona midfield schemer Deco his first signing as new Chelsea manager in a £12 million deal.
The Portugal ace has agreed terms with the Blues and the deal is expected to be finalised following his country's exit from Euro 2008.
New Stamford Bridge boss Scolari is confident Deco will sustain the form he showed during the three games he played in Switzerland.
A source said: "It's just a matter of time to conclude the affair and it should be before the end of this week."

Man City, Chelsea target Ronaldinho wants Premiership move

Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho wants to continue his career in England.
But the Brazil superstar refused to give any hints whether he fancies a move to Chelsea or Manchester City.
Megabucks City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has offered Barcelona ace Ron a whopping £30million in wages.
But speculation over a move to Chelsea has increased following the Blues' appointment of former Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari and a plea from Barca pal and Chelsea target Deco to join him in London.
Ronaldinho, 28, said: "Every player would love to play in such a competitive championship as the English league.
"I'm happy because almost all the teams want me to play for them.
"I admire Scolari a lot and I hope he can make all his dreams come true. I wish him well."

How England let Chelsea boss Scolari slip away?

New Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari was all ready to take the England job in 2006, it has been revealed.
A key negotiator said: "The FA had an undertaking from Scolari that he would take the job when negotiations opened in April 2006. But major mistakes were made in the negotiation process. He was extremely uncomfortable about announcing a deal prior to the World Cup, especially with the prospect of Portugal facing England.
"But the FA were adamant a deal had to be announced. In truth, it made no sense whatsoever.
"The big mistake the FA made was to allow Scolari to leave the room without signing a contract or letter of intent - and that gave him time to change his mind.
"The opportunity was there and the FA didn't take it."

Ballack wants to close career at Chelsea

Michael Ballack believes Chelsea could be his last club.
Asked about ending his career at Chelsea, Ballack replied: "I can imagine it. I still want to play two or three more years at this level."
Ballack claims he is not fazed by the heartbreaking nature of Chelsea's Champions League final defeat.
He said: "I won't let things like that drive me crazy."

Chelsea ready to take Eto'o off Barcelona hands

Barcelona are desperate to offload Samuel Eto'o - and Chelsea are ready to pounce.
Chelsea, Inter and AC Milan have shown strong interest in striker Eto'o but have not matched the £32m asking price.