Cole out to impress

Blues defender hails new boss Scolari

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 8th July 2008

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Cole: Fresh start

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Ashley Cole admits that all the Chelsea players are looking forward to making a fresh start under Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The Brazilian, appointed as the successor to Avram Grant, introduced himself to the players on Monday as they returned to pre-season training.

Cole concedes that Scolari made a very good impression and the left-back is now relishing the prospect of playing for him.

The England international has been a regular in the Blues side over the last couple of years but he realises he is now going to have to fight for his place all over again.

Scolari has said everyone will get a fair chance to stake their claim over the coming weeks and Cole believes the increased sense of competition can only benefit Chelsea's preparations.

"You start again when a new manager comes in," Cole told Chelsea TV. "There are no favourites.

"Pre-season training will be really hard, but the manager seems like a good guy and he seems like a fair guy, so a lot of players will be trying to impress him."