Recent signing Mineiro has been talking about settling to life in England, comparisons to Claude Makelele and his new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The midfielder, previously unattached since leaving German side Hertha Berlin in the summer, signed for the Blues towards the end of September and is looking forward to getting down to business.

Now in England some six weeks, he is beginning to get used to Chelsea life, and made his debut a week ago against Sunderland.

'My plans with my family were to remain in Europe because that would be the best for us. I had some proposals to return to Brazil but we decided it would be better for us to remain in Europe,' he explained. 'Luckily I got this opportunity at Chelsea to do my best and give everything I can.

'I have been to England before and have many friends here so have been to visit. What has struck me mostly is the affection I have been getting from people, I have been very well welcomed here,' he smiled.

'Friends told me it is a great place and because of the way we have been welcomed, my family and I are very happy. We are now trying to know the culture a little better so we can adapt as quickly as we can.

Ninety minutes in the reserves against Stoke City on Monday will certainly have given him something of a taster for typical English football. His calmness in defensive midfield was a reassurance for young team-mates, reminiscent of another defensive midfielder recently departed.

'I believe that every player has different characteristics and styles. Makelele was a great player and had a great time here at Chelsea, but I want to write my own history,' he said.

'Many players have similar characteristics and we have similar body types and ways of playing but every player has their own style they can develop themselves. I want to write my own history and be remembered as Mineiro, who was a great player for Chelsea.'

When he signed, he became the third Brazilian in the squad, working under a predominantly Brazilian coaching staff. Contrary to what many may expect, Mineiro had not previously worked with Scolari, even at international level where he has won 24 full caps.

'I knew him before as an opponent when he was a coach in Brazil but I didn't know him with the Brazilian team. He is very well respected and loved by all Brazilians, including myself. He is a wonderful professional and I am happy to be here working with him and I am sure we will do great work together,' he said, before elaborating on what it was people back home liked about the 59-year-old.

'He is a coach that tries to protect his group, he is very protective and tries to help in every area he can so the group can get better,' Mineiro said.

'He is a great person and tries to be very correct in everything he does, professional and personal. That's what we knew about him in Brazil. He is a man manager and I believe that's what people see in him at Chelsea now, being a good person in everything he does.'