Luiz Felipe Scolari has challenged Chelsea’s fringe players, such as Shaun Wright-Phillips, to prove that they are worth a place in the squad during their pre-season tour. The Brazilian plans to trim his 30-man squad to 25 but will take all of his players on the club’s four-match tour to China, Malaysia and Russia, with a view to assessing their ability.

Steve Sidwell completed a £5 million move to Aston Villa last week, leaving Scolari with the task of dumping half a dozen more players because he wants to add at least one more signing to the arrivals of Deco and José Bosingwa. Juliano Belletti, Tal Ben-Haim, Claudio Pizarro and Andriy Shevchenko are most under threat but are unlikely to command significant transfer fees, with Wright-Phillips rated as Chelsea’s most saleable asset.

Scolari is looking to sign an attacking player, with bids for Robinho and Franck Ribéry being considered, but the Chelsea manager is otherwise happy with the squad that he inherited from Avram Grant. This sense of continuity was illustrated yesterday when Wayne Bridge signed a new four-year contract worth £60,000 a week, his second extension since arriving from Southampton five years ago.

Bridge started only nine league matches last season, losing out to Ashley Cole for the left-back berth, but has decided to reject interest from Portsmouth. “I’m just happy. I love it at Chelsea - the lads, the staff,” Bridge said. “I’m happy to be here, hopefully for the next four years.”

Bridge’s deal was agreed before Grant’s dismissal, but Scolari welcomed his decision to sign. “I’m very pleased,” the manager said. “I have been here only a few days but have seen that he is one of the best professionals at the club.”

Peter Kenyon, the club’s chief executive, said: “He’s a key member of the squad and we are fortunate that we have the two best left backs in England. That is a source of pride to us.”

Chelsea received a further boost when Ricardo Carvalho intimated that he wants to stay. The Portugal defender is a target for Inter Milan and has spoken of his desire to link up again with José Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager, but he said yesterday that he is looking forward to new challenges at Stamford Bridge. “It is good to see all the people again, fighting for the club like we have for the past few years,” Carvalho said.

Chelsea are unlikely to offer Carvalho a new contract because, like Didier Drogba, he signed an extension last season, but plan new terms for Michael Ballack and Petr Cech.

- Vicente del Bosque will be unveiled as the new coach of Spain tomorrow, replacing Luis Aragonés, who stepped down shortly after the country’s Euro 2008 triumph. Del Bosque won the Champions League twice with Real Madrid.