Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari believes his team growing injury list. Is providing him with a welcome test of his coaching abilities.
Although the Blues were missing up to six injured players when they traveled to Middlesbrough ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match against Boro, Scolari had a piece of good news Friday with the return of captain John Terry from a back problem.
But the Premier League leaders, who play AS Roma in the Champions League next Wednesday, went north without Terry’s England teammates Joe Cole (Achilles) and Ashley Cole (hamstring) and Germany captain Michael Ballack (calf, foot).
Scolari said Terry had recovered enough to play even if he won’t be in top condition. The center back and Joe Cole missed England’s two World Cup qualifiers, while Ashley Cole and Ballack were both injured on international duty.
Striker Didier Drogba is still nursing a knee injury, while goalkeeper Petr Cech hurt his thigh playing for the Czech Republic and is in doubt.
“It’s a test for me that I am a good coach,” said Scolari, who led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup. “I need to change, improve, motivate new players I need to build my team with the players I have.”
Scolari, who has also coached Qatar and Portugal, refused to blame the international schedule for the injuries.
“When the player is with the national team, he needs to put his life for the national team; and when with his club, he puts his life for that team,” Scolari said.
Portugal midfielder Deco hasn’t fully recovered from a thigh strain but traveled with the squad, which had 11 players training Thursday and six more in practice Friday.
“Tomorrow maybe 19 and against Roma 20 or 21,” Scolari said. “Deco is not ready 100 percent but he’s better than the last two weeks. He will go with me and I will see tomorrow what’s happening in the game.”
Asked whether in view of Chelsea’s injuries, a draw would be a good result Saturday, Scolari was adamant.
“No, I want to win and the players want to win,” he said. “I still have a strong team.”
