Luiz Felipe Scolari Wants Chelsea Quartet Fresh for World Cup Bid

Brazil national team manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is eager to see Atletico Madrid dump Chelsea out of the Champions League –so the Blues' Brazilian contingent are fresh for the World Cup.

The former Chelsea manager has wasted little time in deciding who will be in his 23-man squad for this summer's finals and has chosen Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Julio Cesar and Fred to act as captains as the selecao attempt to dislodge Spain the summit of world football.

In addition to Luiz, Chelsea trio Willian, Ramires and Oscar are also within a strong chance of being named in the squad that will set out to win their sixth world title.

And in order to have his best players at peak condition, Scolari is hoping Diego Simeone's Atletico can end Chelsea's season two weeks early and deny them a spot in what would be their third Champions League final in seven seasons.

"Against Chelsea, I am fully behind Atletico Madrid because I will then have four players who are rested for the World Cup," Scolari was quoted as saying by Spanish daily AS.

Scolari also indicated Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paulinho remains firmly in his plans despite his struggle for consistent game time under Tim Sherwood, while Barcelona forward Neymar has been told he has no reason to fear for his place.

"I have no doubts," Scolari said, Reuters report. "But I have to wait for the leagues that are under way to end. You never know what might happen.

"Neymar is always fine. "It's his team that's not doing well and he's part of that group. At international level, he will be as good as he always is.

"I see him very differently from the way some Spanish critics see him. I have no worries about him. None. Zero."