Scolari says Lampard wants to stay

New Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari claims Frank Lampard has told him he wants to stay at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues released a statement this morning revealing they had received an official approach from Inter Milan for the England midfielder, and also claimed that they had turned it down flat.

But after meeting his players for the first time yesterday, the Brazilian insists there is no chance of Lampard heading to Italy.

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"I met Frank Lampard and we spoke for 15 minutes, and after this, when we finished, I was very happy because I asked if he wants to stay and he said 'yes, I (will) stay at Chelsea'," Scolari told Chelsea TV.

Scolari revealed that he also had a "good conversation" with striker Didier Drogba who is another to have been linked to a move to Inter, among other clubs.

The former Brazil and Portugal coach could not, however, make such definitive claims about the frontman's future with the club.

But he insists that new faces could be only the way, saying: "This time is the time to transfer. Maybe...we receive some players."

But whoever joins or leaves his squad, Scolari has already set his sights on a clean sweep of trophies.

"Big clubs, they need to win every competition," he said. "I want to win."

After meeting owner Roman Abramovich and chief executive Peter Kenyon to discuss the possibility of taking the Chelsea job, Scolari claimed it was an easy decision to move to England.

"My first impression was shock because Chelsea are too big," he said of his initial thoughts about the task at hand.

"They gave to me some idea about Chelsea, that I think I am the coach for this club.

"I am prepared for this and after I studied (the offer), and had more time with Roman, Peter and other people, I thought 'yes, it's my team in future'.

Scolari admitted he is a coach who is "involved in all things", and although he arrives with preconceptions about his players, he will not indulge in any long-term planning until he has spent more time with the squad on the training field.

"I need to know the players after 15-20 days because when you arrive you think (certain things) about the players, and after you train you change some ideas about the players," he said.

"The character of the players is different in Portugal, Brazil and England. I need to know the players, then I have a system.

"In future Chelsea may not have just one system. We may have three or four, because when we are in difficulty we need to change."

Scolari is confident he can deal with the pressure and expectation of the Chelsea fans and the club hierarchy.

He said: "I know the pressure to win every game. We have a pressure and I know how to manage it because in Brazil they eat football, they sleep football - it is all football.

"So because of pressure from my own people I think I am prepared for this and in my mind I feel prepared for this.

"[For] a long time I have been a player and coach and in that time I have wanted to win and if I lost it was difficult to accept. Maybe in life you need to fight and I don't accept not winning.

"I and my staff and players and the board want to win all the competitions. I think we have the potential to win all competitions that we have entered.

"We want the best for Chelsea and the players and fans. I don't know how many championships we will win - one, two, three - but we will try win them all."

Scolari also explained he could cope with the pressure of the English media and explained that it was not as big a factor in him turning down the England job as had been suggested.

Instead Scolari explained it was the possibility of his Portugal team meeting England during the 2006 World Cup which convinced him it would be a difficult move.

"That is not a normal position so this is the most important point about the job with the England national team," he said.

"I am ready for them (the media) and it is not a problem. I have my family and I have my friends and they are normal and the same as other people.

"I am ready and have told my friends and family about this and it is not a problem."

When asked if he was the "Special One" - a tag given to former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho - Scolari remarked: "I am special for my friends and family and those people only."

Scolari, speaking at his first Chelsea press conference, later claimed Drogba was "200%" part of his plans for the future, adding: "I like him."

He also confirmed John Terry would be his captain, with Lampard his deputy, and revealed that in the past he voted for the centre-back and Drogba for FIFA's world player of the year award.

Scolari also insisted he would be happy to discuss playing matters with Abramovich - but was adamant he would not succumb to demands for "beautiful" football if it got in the way of winning.

"We will try to play beautiful football," said Scolari. "But sometimes, if you want to win some games, you do not play beautiful."

Moratti: We have made an offer for Lampard

Inter Milan owner and president Massimo Moratti insists his club has made a bid for Chelsea midfielder but "don't want to create any big problems".

The Premier League club have told the Italian champions - now managed by former Blues boss Jose Mourinho - they will not even discuss the possibility of selling the 30-year-old England international.

Moratti on Tuesday told www.inter.it: "They replied that they have no intention of negotiating, as was their right. Now we will see."

In response to Chelsea's claim that they had received "no financial offer" for Lampard, Moratti added: "This is not true.

"There's an offer and we confirm it. However, we don't want to create any big problems.

"Am I optimistic? We will see."

Inter captain Javier Zanetti earlier on Tuesday described Lampard as a "champion" and revealed he would welcome him to the San Siro.

With Inter looking to secure a big-name signing to celebrate their centenary year, a host of players have been linked with the Nerazzurri, who won their third consecutive Scudetto last season.

And Argentina international Zanetti believes Lampard would be the ideal candidate.

"I have played against him only at international level and he is a true champion," he said.

"He defends, attacks and shoots well. There are very few players around who are as complete as he is."