Phil keeping with coach he knows

Luiz Felipe Scolari has persuaded another former colleague to join his backroom staff at Chelsea and replaced goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon with Carlos Pracidelli.

Scolari officially starts his new job next Tuesday, but has already decided to bring Flavio Teixeira and Darlan Schneider - his assistant and fitness coach respectively at Portugal - with him to Stamford Bridge.

Pracidelli worked with Scolari during his time in charge of Brazilian side Palmeiras and when he won the World Cup with the national team in 2002.

He admits he couldn't turn down the chance of being reunited with the 59-year-old and said: "Immediately, I accepted because I know how he works. My club Palmeiras know this is a rare opportunity and are releasing me without any resentment."

On the playing side, Cameroon coach Otto Pfister has claimed Chelsea are in a battle with Arsenal as well as Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan for Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o.

Pfister believes he would be best paired with Emmanuel Adebayor at Arsenal, if they can keep the Togo star, who is wanted by AC Milan.

He said: "He is the best striker in the world and can choose between Chelsea, Arsenal and Inter.

"Incidentally, I would like Eto'o in attack with Adebayor. I have trained both of them and know what the guys have. They would set the air alight."

Meanwhile, Claude Makelele is set to do a U-turn and commit his future to Chelsea, ending speculation of a move to Paris St-Germain.