Luiz Felipe Scolari has reportedly called his Chelsea
squad back from their summer holidays a week
early.
The Daily Mirror reports that the new boss at Stamford Bridge
has written to his new charges and told them to report back for
pre-season training on July 7, a week ahead of the initial
date.
The dictat only applies to those players not involved in Euro
2008, obviously including England players John Terry, Frank
Lampard, Joe Cole and Ashley Cole, but also the likes of Didier
Drogba, who reportedly wants a move away from Stamford
Bridge.
Scolari doesn't officially start work until July 1, but is
apparently keen to 'crack on with his new job'.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's hardline regime at Chelsea will
begin with double training sessions for the first team squad when
they return for pre-season training on July 7.
Scolari has asked chief executive Peter Kenyon to complete the
capture of three high profile targets — Kaka and Franck Ribery
remain on the list — before they leave for their pre-season tour of
Malaysia, China and Moscow.
Goalkeeping coach Carlos Pracidelli has arrived from Scolari's
former club Palmeiras. He joins assistant manager Flavio Teixeira
and Darlan Schneider, but the future of Steve Clarke remains in
doubt..