Brazilian Zico: Luiz Felipe Scolari should have more time at London

The popular and super talented Zico stated that he is against Chelsea for dismissing Luiz Felipe Scolari prematurely.

In fact, the CSKA Moscow coach, whose side played Aston Villa for the UEFA Cup this evening, believes that the man who led Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002 — sacked last week after only seven months — should have been judged at the end of the season.

“People seem to think the role of the coach in Brazilian football is less important because, it seems, they just have to turn up and the footballers victory the World Cup,” Zico, who appeared in the 1978, 1982 and 1986 finals, expressed. “So it is a problem for Brazilian coaches because they do not get time to have an effect on the way a side plays to get the results they want.

“Felipao had lost some games, however he did not lost a championship. We must consider that a reasonable time would have been at the end of this season.”

Back to Chelsea young players: Hiddink to lineup Michael Mancienne

A talent from the young division in Chelsea, Michael Mancienne, is poised to make his first Premier League start for the Stamford Bridge institution in their vital fixture against Aston Villa after Guus Hiddink oversaw his first training sessions at Cobham.

In fact, injuries to Portuguese Carvalho and Alex, as well as a suspension for Ashley Cole, see Hiddink faced with something of a defensive crisis in his first week in charge after replacing Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Mancienne, notionally a central defender, filled in manfully at right back during Chelsea’s FA Cup victory over Watford last weekend that Hiddink watched from the stands with owner Roman Abramovich.

Indeed, Hiddink, a meticulous coach, has reviewed the weekend’s opposition, who sit above Chelsea in the Premier League table, and is concerned by the need to counter the pace of Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

It seemMancienne’s speed is seen as a greater asset than his inexperience is a concern.

The popular Hiddink has already watched a youth side encounter and is believed to have been impressed with Mancienne in the training sessions he has conducted at Cobham this week.

"It is amazing for me having the experience of seeing the second side as well and seeing if we first see a amazing performances of the side and second if they're some young footballers who might be very interesting for the future," expressed Hiddink after watching the youth side put six past Portsmouth.

"I think that even if you are a big team, and even if the first side is settled you must always create some space for youngsters, they are always promising and that is why we always have to keep an eye on them."

We must consider that Mancienne, who was called in to the experienced Fabio Capello’s England squad for the friendly victory against Germany in Berlin last year, though remained and unused substitute, was paired with John Terry in an open training session.

The England captain has been immediately impressed with Hiddink and is relishing the opportunity to reignite a difficult season for Chelsea.

“He’s made a few changes and in training he got us to press more and play higher up the pitch,” expressed John Terry.

“I must admit, it looked sharp, with everyone fighting for their places again.”

Chelsea’s defensive record this season stands up against most of their nearest rivals and in despite of that, the last few weeks has seen an alarming dip in form with even stalwarts like Terry and Cech coming in for criticism.

As we said, Mancienne, who has spent impressive spells with Wolves in recent seasons, may well prove to be the beneficiary of that and Hiddink’s fresh start at the team.

We should review the new generation at Stamford Bridge:

Miroslav Stoch - Gave a glimpse of his quality against Stoke City and has become increasingly involved with first-team squad - particularly noted for his pace.

Michael Mancienne - Came to prominence when he was called up to Fabio Capello's England squad and played against Watford in Chelsea's FA Cup victory.

Franco Di Santo - Argentina Under-20 international who impressed during pre-season and has made several first-team appearances.

Scott Sinclair - Made Chelsea league debut in 2007, and in despite of that, is currently on loan with Birmingham until the end of the season.

Frank Nouble – This talented player has been with Chelsea since an under-12 and has been capped by England under-17s.

Jeffrey Bruma - Centre-back from Holland, who plays for the Dutch under-17s and has trained with the first-team.

Jack Cork - The son of Alan Cork has steadily won admirers while on loan with Bournemouth, Scunthorpe, Southampton and Watford, and in despite of that, is increasingly making his mark for the England under-21s.

Jacob Mellis - Signed in the summer of 2007 and a member of the England under-19 division.

Felipe Scolari: we must win over Bordeaux to continue in the Champions League

Chelsea Portuguese boss Luis Felipe Scolari underlined the importance of beating Bordeaux on Wednesday to seal their seventh straight appearance in the Champions League knockout stages with a game to spare.

The charismatic Brazilian proffesor knows last season's beaten finalists came unstuck in their last away game at italian AS Roma when they were thumped 3-1 and is not taking the French outsiders lightly.

"We really need to qualify either tomorrow or against Cluj and reach the second round," he told a press conference here Tuesday.

"As we know, we had a chance against Roma and now we have a second chance. Myself and the players cannot wait for more chances and tomorrow (Wednesday) is the day."

The 60-year-old played down the defeat in Italy and says the group is still wide open with just a one point lead on Roma and Bordeaux with Cluj still in the hunt three points adrift.

"The clash against Roma was a time when they were in crisis and it was a game that if they lost they were out of the competition. They played better than us 100 per cent.

"Look, what I know about French Bordeaux is that they have very good players and the result in the first match was not a normal result.

"I know they are in fifth or sixth in France and they didn't start the competition very well but they have played well since and we respect this team and more. They have six points and we have only seven so there is no difference."

In fact, the Girondins have been hit by the late withdrawal of first choice goalkeeper Ulrich Rame who failed to recover from a hamstring injury which means the gloves will be handed to 25-year-old Matthieu Valverde.

We must mention that Bordeaux are coming off back to back victories over Romanian newcomers CFR Cluj which has lifted them back into contention for a spot in the final 16 but have never beaten English opposition at home in European play.

They were beaten by powerful Manchester United 2-1 in the 1999-2000 Champions League group phase and also lost 1-0 to Liverpool in the 2006-07 pool stage as well.

Their only point at home in European action came way back in the first round of the 1997-98 UEFA Cup first round when they battled Aston Villa to a 1-1 stalemate.

Scolari also made it clear his squad are not thinking about Sunday's showdown with Arsenal in a top of the table Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge and says qualification is crucial and not especially winning the group.

"Myself and the players will not think about Arsenal FC until after the game tomorrow. If we start thinking about Arsenal, we might lose tomorrow.

"In fact, if we have the second leg in the Champions League at home in the next round that it's great but there are two things.

"In the past teams have won the second leg away from home and other times the home team has won but there is not a big difference. The most important thing is to qualify."

In-form French forward Nicolas Anelka hopes to carry his hot touch in the Premier League onto the European stage where he has been misfiring so far in the competition.

"I may be need a bit of luck but the important thing is that we get the win and that the team pick up the three points or at least a draw," said the French forward.

"I know that the match tomorrow will be a lot different from the first match at Stamford Bridge (Chelsea won 4-0) and we are expecting a very tough encounter."

Didier Drogba talks with Inter Milan

Explosive forward Didier Drogba's Chelsea future has become surrounded in doubt, with the Blues striker understood to have held discussions with officials at Serie A club Inter Milan, according to a news website.

The popular Drogba is understood to have met with Nerazzurri coach Jose Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes and Marco Branca the technical director at the San Siro along with his powerful agent Pierre Frelot at a restaurant in West London.

As we know, former Stamford Bridge manager Mourinho was a huge influence on Drogba, while at Chelsea and had been heavily linked with a move to bring the former Marseille striker to Inter in the summer. However, Drogba, who is currently serving a three-match ban for throwing a coin in the Carling Cup defeat to Burnley, remained at the Premier League side.

Jose Mourinho has an abundance of striker’s at the San Siro, with Hernan Crespo, Adriano, Mario Balotelli, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Julio Cruz and Victor Obinna all fighting for a starting berth upfront for Inter. Despite this Mourinho is expected to offload brazilian Adriano in January, with Balotelli a reported target for Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, while Crespo never made the grade under Mourinho at the Blues.

We must notice that young striker Obinna had been heavily linked with a loan move to Everton in the summer, but this didn’t materialise due to work permit problems and this deal could be resurrected in January, which if as Mourinho has stated recently that some forward’s will leave Inter in January then the path would be clear for Inter to sign Didier Drogba, who would be keen on a reunion with his former boss.