Scolari refuses to rule out new signings in January

Luiz Felipe Scolari has warned Peter Kenyon not to shut the Chelsea cheque book after the club's chief executive claimed they were unlikely to make any more signings this season.

Kenyon hinted this week that the January transfer window would be a quiet period for the Blues because Scolari already has a squad packed with world-class talent.

But although Chelsea boss Scolari is happy with his team, he knows injuries or loss of form could force him into the transfer market when the window reopens on New Years's Day.

“Every week when I meet Peter I say I am happy with the squad but we don't know what will happen until January,” Scolari said. “Peter says no until January but that is normal because it is impossible to buy players now.

“I don't think money is a problem. We will discuss this in the correct time. Now is not the correct time because we have a big game on Sunday.

“We need to play many games until January. After this we will talk about it.”

Whether he makes any more signings or not, Scolari believes Chelsea can emulate Arsenal's invincibles by going unbeaten for the rest of the season.

Arsenal were the last team to go through an entire 38-game Premier League season without defeat back in 2003-04. But Scolari's side are yet to lose in any competition the current campaign and the Chelsea manager sees no reason why that 12-match run can't continue until the trophies are handed out in May.

“It is possible to go through the season undefeated,” Scolari said. “I don't think about this all the time but I think it is possible.”

The next step on the road to that achievement comes on Sunday when league leaders Chelsea host second placed Liverpool.

Like Chelsea, Rafa Benitez's team are unbeaten so far this season and Scolari has warned his players they will have to match Liverpool's unbreakable spirit.

Liverpool have already come from behind five times to avoid defeat this season and Scolari sees similiarities between the bloody-minded nature of both teams.

“The clubs have the same spirit. They fight until the last minute to win the game,” Scolari said. “Liverpool have won more games in the last minute than us. They have a very good team. It is a fantastic game on Sunday.

“They are dangerous because they have a good team and good players. They are very organised. They haven't lost once this season.

“Sometimes they are in bad condition in the last 10 minutes but changed the result. This is the best thing. They have spirit. They changed the result because they play as a team.

“This is what I want from my team and it is what they give me. I know Benitez would say the same about my team because the respect is there.

“They don't have one magical player but they are a team. I think the best team for Benitez and Liverpool is this season. They have competitve, quality players in good position.”

If Scolari needs any further encouragement that Chelsea can open up a three point lead over Liverpool this weekend, he need only look at his side's formidable home record.

The Blues are unbeaten in 86 league matches at the Bridge for over four years, while Benitez has won only four of Liverpool's 19 meetings with Chelsea since he took over in 2004.

Regardless of the result, Scolari hopes to make a new friend on Sunday as he plans a post-match drink with Benitez for the first time.

“I like Benitez but I met him one time only. He is direct and works very well. He has won many competitions in four years with Liverpool,” Scolari said.

“I want him to drink some wine or beer after the match. We will talk about life not football because I want one more friend in my life.

Scolari is likely to have Ashley Cole back in his team after the England left-back returned to training.

There was a further boost for Scolari as the Brazilian revealed Ghana midfielder Michael Essien should be back to action by late-January.

Essien had been expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury on international duty but he is making a quicker than expected recovery.