Scolari faces tough start to reign

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will begin work at Chelsea faced with the task of persuading England midfielder Frank Lampard to remain at the club.

Lampard has one year remaining on his current contract and the holidaying midfielder has refused to rule out a move to Inter Milan when quizzed over his future.

"Inter? Let's wait and see," said Lampard when questioned about a proposed move. "For the moment I am here on holiday with my family. My future at Chelsea? I don't know anything yet."

He added: "Italy is a beautiful country but I am not due to meet anyone here."

The Blues insist they have received no bids from any club for the England international despite reports suggesting Inter Milan are ready to offer him a four-year deal worth £7.1 million.

Lampard, 30, is currently enjoying the sun with his wife and children on a luxury yacht cruising off the coast of Italy

Scolari also looks as though he will lose defender Ricardo Carvalho, another target for former Blues boss Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.

Chelsea were planning to hold contract talks with the Portugal international, who has only just started a holiday because of his involvement in Euro 2008, but Brazilian defender Alcides says he is returning from a loan spell at PSV Eindhoven to replace him at Stamford Bridge.

Alcides has been on loan at the Dutch club for the last 18 months and said: "PSV wanted me to stay but I have learned that Chelsea want me back. It seems Carvalho is leaving and I am going to replace him."