Scolari hails progress

Scolari: Talks tactics

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Luiz Felipe Scolari has spoken of his delight with his Chelsea side as he puts the finishing touches on their pre-season preparations.

The Blues are back on the training ground following their Asian tour and Brazilian boss Scolari is relishing working with a set of players he has described as 'brilliant'.

And he believes fine tuning setpieces in particular could give his side a slight but crucial advantage as the season draws ever closer.

He told ChelseaTV: "I need to work more on free-kicks because on the tour I did not have the chance to work with this.

"Now I want more options for the players, for the team, and this area is my focus."

Former Portugal boss Scolari has completed a month in his new job following Euro 2008 and is happy with the progress he has made in that time.

"Now I have more confidence," he said. "I play four games and I know more my players. These two weeks with the players are very important to me.

"I know very well the players now, their reactions. I have had one month with the players, every day together. Now I have more choice than before."

Brilliant attitude

Scolari also hailed the attitude of his players, adding: "They surprise me in one question - they are very professional. I never saw in my life players more professional than these players. Brilliant."

Despite winning the Premier League title twice under Jose Mourinho, Chelsea were often criticised for a negative style of play.

That continued under Avram Grant last season but in revealing his tactical plans, Scolari implied that may not be the case this season - while the 59-year-old is also likely to prove one of the more colourful Premier League managers.

Tactical options

"(On the tour) I started three games as 4-4-2 and at half-time I changed to 4-3-3 - which was normal for Chelsea before - and I looked for the reaction from the team.

"I will try in the next 10 days one new system for a few moments in each game. But normal for us now is 4-4-2 and 4-3-3. They play not bad and I think this is the situation in the future.

"I am involved with the training and in the games I talk with the players and I talk with the bench.

"It's difficult for me only to look, see and not say something, and they accept this and I think they are receptive."