As the Christmas calendar kicks into full swing this weekend, Luiz Felipe Scolari has announced his excitement at the busy period.

Festive fixtures are as traditional as turkey here in England, but even for one as experienced as Scolari, they are something of a novelty for the foreigners in the game.

We travel to Everton on Monday evening before Barclays Premier League games with West Bromwich Albion and Fulham immediately after Christmas, and Scolari is aware of how important this time of year can be.

After a midweek with no match, the manager has had plenty of time at Cobham to work on a few ideas with his players, and believes they are in good shape for the visit to Merseyside.

'It is better now and for the future because in this week we are training many times, and situations for the future, I had time to train one more system,' he said. 'I have 23 players in good condition. I am happy now and have time to start and stop my training, change systems, explain to my players why this or why that. It is very good for us.'

Two players remain on the treatment table, though we could soon be seeing Ricardo Carvalho back in action. The Portuguese defender has not been in action since our 3-0 win at Hull on October 29.

'Ricardo is not in condition. Maybe two days more, 10 days maximum,' Scolari said, before giving details on his other injured party. [Michael] Essien is in very good condition, but only for February, March. I think in this time he will play.'

We travel to Everton unbeaten against the Toffees in 20 games, before returning to Stamford Bridge where we will try and improve our home form against bottom club West Brom.

Considering the Boxing Day fixture, Scolari expects a friendly atmosphere at the game, and does not mind coming into work.

'[Playing then happened] only one time in my life in Brazil, now it is 26th, 28th, day three of January, it is different, but for the players it is normal. For my staff maybe it is different but it is our job. The family, party, we need to think this is a normal day for work, and every day is a party for us,' he smiled.

'In South America if you say this, 26th, they kill you, but here they say very well because the day after Christmas all the people want to go to the game, shopping or this or that.

'Families go to the game, it is a good day to go together. If it's true it's very well, because we play against West Bromwich, with a full stadium, fantastic. Father, mother, son, daughter go to the game, very well. Maybe some ladies say to their husbands, "Go because I want to stay alone!"

'All the people are happy, and we are together, no problem. I think it is more normal for English people to have a game than for us, but it is not a problem for us. When you like your job, every day is a good day for work, no problem.'

Then follows the January transfer window, and the Brazilian is keen to echo the sentiments of chief executive Peter Kenyon, despite persistent newspaper reports linking Alex with a move away from SW6.

'Peter Kenyon has said many times now, we don't sell players and we don't buy players. Finished. Peter is my boss, and this is the philosophy,' Scolari said, before commenting on his defender.

'I believe my player and if he came to me and said I don't give interview, I don't need to answer about this. If he doesn't give an interview for this and some newspaper writes something, I need to believe my players. He is happy, yesterday he came and said I didn't give the interview.

'The club has a contract with all of us and it respects that, and the players respect that contract. Only this.'

Finally, Scolari observed Friday's Champions League draw, which pitted us against Juventus and former Blues manager Claudio Ranieri.

'It is a normal reaction. We need to play two games, A, B or C is the same for us. It is two big clubs, and 16 big clubs in this time,' said the 60-year-old.

'We need to play and need to win. The players when they received the news about Juventus think it is okay, it is difficult but we have a chance.

'I think for Claudio Ranieri it is very good to come back and play against Chelsea. People like him, the fans, the players and staff and he will receive a welcome. It is very good.'

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