Luiz Felipe Scolari is looking forward to his first season in England, and is hopeful for a successful campaign, starting at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

As the Brazilian prepares for his first competitive fixture as Chelsea manager when we face Portsmouth on Sunday, he has been boosted by the news that Frank Lampard will remain a Chelsea player until 2013.

It brings to an end months of speculation on the midfielder's future, who in his press conference on Wednesday complimented Scolari's influence since arriving at the start of July.

'I am very happy when two days ago he came to me and said he renewed his contract for five years. It is fantastic for Chelsea, and the fans are more happy than me. He loves Chelsea,' Scolari said, before adding that Lampard still has plenty more to offer.

'Not because I am the coach, because he wants to,' the Brazilian reasoned. 'Every day he tries something different, shooting, dribbling, he improves something. He wants to make himself more than now, because he likes to play. He likes his job, the football.'

After six weeks of preparation, Lampard will be able to get back out on to the pitch at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, and Scolari is anticipating an enjoyable season.

'First I want to say to my colleagues that I wish them the best for the games. This is my first season in England and some coaches I know, others I have not met before, but I wish the coaches and teams all the best,' he said.

'I saw many Premier League games in pre-season. If you say one team or two teams [can win it] I think you are wrong because I saw a minimum eight teams play very well. Sure not only Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool. Forget it.

'Tottenham and Portsmouth are strong teams. Many teams can play for first position until sixth position.'

The challenge of working in England is one the 59-year-old could not resist, and this weekend offers the first opportunity for him to get his teeth stuck into the job. He discussed what it was that made the Premier League so appealing.

'Here it is a different challenge, all the games are important and difficult. Not in the other leagues where you play 20 games, 15 games you win. Here, never!' he exclaimed. 'One game you say I will win, I am not sure. This is the excitement. Every day, every game, every week you have a new challenge.

'This week Portsmouth play 4-4-2 and have six players 1.9 metres and above, next week the other team have four players who are very fast. England is different from other leagues.'

With regard to his own players, Scolari has some selection headaches as he readies his squad for Portsmouth, and declared that he will be without at least a couple of players due to injury, with another doubtful.

'I have some injuries. [Michael] Essien is out for Sunday, Didier [Drogba] is out, but they are working every day with the doctors and our fitness coach and progress for the next two weeks. I expect they train every day, and maybe Essien next week, Drogba 15 days.

'This is normal in football. This week Bosingwa is better. Deco didn't train today because he has something in the ankle, maybe he will or will not play on Sunday but I have other players.'

Indeed Scolari still boasts a large and talented squad despite the absentees, and with seven substitute places now available, there is room for two more within his matchday squad.

'I have 24, 25, 26 players, I choose 18 so there will be some out, but I have 60 or 70 games, so maybe next week I pick one or two more from the other list.

'If it's possible I want my players happy all the time. It is my job to make this, I need to talk with the players and say something to make them understand my position.'

Asked about pre-season form man Nicolas Anelka, Scolari expressed his belief that the Frenchman can have a huge impact in 2008/9.

'Anelka is training very well, and is the man that plays on Sunday as centre-forward. He played some games in the friendlies very well, has good speed, changes his position very well, and finishes very well,' he said, before revealing a little about the character of the striker.

'He is quiet, if you say "good morning", he will reply "good morning", if you do not, he says nothing, because he is quiet. We need to put fire in Anelka.

'Maybe it is the season for him, I need to work on his head because he has good qualities.'

One forward player Scolari won't have at his disposal on Sunday is Robinho, with Scolari unable to offer any news on the Real Madrid man's possible transfer to SW6.

'Robinho is a very good player, I like him but until now nothing. He is a very good player, but what happens I do not know. It is not my business, it is for the board and the men talking about the clubs, and money.

'He plays very well at any club in the world and is a fantastic player, but I am happy with my players in Chelsea.

'If I lose against Portsmouth it is not because Robinho isn't here, it is because we didn't play very well. I have players here to win all the games or to lose all the games.'

Fans at Stamford Bridge on Sunday will be confident it is the former, and you can put your money on the Blues to open the season with a win by clicking here.