Scolari searches for Chelsea´s X-factor

Luiz Felipe Scolari wants to buy a flair player in January after admitting Chelsea have struggled to break down teams who set out to frustrate them.

As Scolari watched Chelsea fail to unlock Liverpool’s obdurate defence last weekend, the Blues boss could have been forgiven for casting his mind back to the club’s failure to sign Robinho in pre-season.

He knew Robinho’s off the cuff skills would have added an much-needed X-factor to a squad high on perspiration but sometimes low on inspiration.

But the Brazilian’s compatriot opted for a deadline day move to Manchester City after Chelsea refused to match Real Madrid’s asking price.

On the face of it Chelsea have hardly suffered without Robinho; they are flying high in the Premier League and remain firmly on course for the Champions League second round ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Roma.

But Scolari has taken note of the way Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham have all emerged with a point or more from Stamford Bridge this season.

Faced with defensive opposition, Scolari believes Chelsea are too easily frustrated and he is more convinced than ever that a playmaker in Robinho’s mould is essential when the transfer window reopens.

“When I started here at Chelsea, I said I wanted one player who is different, someone who’ll try something different when we play against teams who close us down,” Scolari said.

“It’s easier for us to play away from home because opponents open up more and give us more chances.

“Clubs that play at Stamford Bridge play defensively, with eight or nine at the back. They come here to play for a draw and, if it’s possible, score from a corner, a foul or a counter-attack.

“We’re not creating very good situations to get in front of goal against them. Many times, we have opportunities, maybe two, three or four, but we make a mistake, shoot wide, high or don’t pass very well.”

Chelsea’s 4-3-3 formation has been stymied too easily for Scolari’s liking at the Bridge and he is searching for a Plan B, but that change in tactics needs a different type of player.

“I want what I said when I arrived here. I need two or three systems to play, not only one,” he said.

“I have good players for one system, but I need sometimes to change my system. Now I need to work every day in the pitch here to change and improve, to make something different.

“For this, I need different players because sometimes it’s impossible to attack. We need to stop the ball in the middle, hold the ball near the area, receive fouls. The characteristics for some of the players in our team aren’t like this.

“I want people to dribble more and hold the ball in front of the full-backs because, if we do that, they’ll kick us and we’ll have fouls. I have players like Deco, (Frank) Lampard who can exploit that.”

With the global credit crunch reportedly erasing a substantial chunk of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s wealth, Scolari is unlikely to have millions to spend in January.

But he insists a loan deal for a player with the right creative credentials would be just as effective as splashing out on a star.

“We don’t need to spend money. We have other opportunities. If I let one player go, I can bring one in. It’s a business now – though not a business for me, but for the board,” he said.

“If it’s possible, I’ll change one or two players in January, or I’ll receive one or two players by business. Maybe I want a player at another club who’s not playing. Maybe they’ll loan him to us.”