Former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari: I tried to swap Didier Drogba for Adriano

Luiz Felipe Scolari – Chelsea (PA)

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Two years after being sacked by Chelsea, Luiz Felipe Scolari has lifted the lid on his time at Stamford Bridge and admits he attempted to improve his squad by swapping Didier Drogba for Adriano.

The 62-year-old also conceded he lost the confidence of the dressing room, as well as having a failed transfer bid involving Robinho, who subsequently moved to Manchester City from Real Madrid.

Scolari, who signed a deal with Brazilian club Corinthians on Friday, reasoned he had the ability to curb Adriano’s off-field problems, although in the same season he was in charge at Stamford Bridge, the striker had left Inter Milan after failing to return from his home nation following international duty.

“It was my fault that I could not control the locker room in different situations,” he told Arena Sportv.

“I tried to do something about that and I tried to sign Robinho, because I wanted someone who could improvise. In England, you need someone like that.

“I also tried a switch to release Drogba for Adriano, because Adriano was having some problems at Inter. I told the directors that I could manage his behaviour problems.”

Scolari also revealed the extent of losing the dressing room at Stamford Bridge and amidst difficult squad-selection choices, the Brazilian admitted the language barrier hindered communication between himself and the players.

“He Drogba wanted to recover from injury in a big clinic in Paris, in the summer, I said no,” he revealed.

“Anelka, who never scored much against anyone, was my top scorer. When Drogba recovered, I couldn’t take Anelka out.”

“Ballack was always a little angry because Deco was signed and I had indicated him.

“But I indicated Deco not to take Ballack out but to add to the squad. But I couldn’t explain that. Probably I couldn’t express myself the way I normally do in Brazil.”

After leaving Chelsea, Scolari took charge of Uzbekistani champions Bunyodkor before returning to Palmeiras in Brazil in June 2010, but he admitted his failure in England was the biggest disappointment in his career.

“Until this day, I’m saddened by what happened,” he added.

“It is a marvellous league, a dream place, my son was studying in a great school, we were living very well.

“That got me really sad.”