Luiz Felipe Scolari has accused several Chelsea players of underachieving last season and challenged them to prove that they are worth a place in his squad. Chelsea continued their pre-season workout with a 2-0 victory over a Malaysian Select XI, but the manager is conscious that further improvement is required if they are to be ready for their opening match of the Barclays Premier League season on August 17, at home to Portsmouth, who face Manchester United in the FA Community Shield seven days earlier.

Scolari identified Andriy Shevchenko and Florent Malouda as individuals whose performance must improve, as well as reminding Michael Ballack that he must make efforts to gain fitness rapidly after missing the first ten days of pre-season training because of his honeymoon.

The Brazilian was particularly scathing of Malouda, saying that he was wasted last season by José Mourinho and Avram Grant and has urged him to replicate the performances that convinced Chelsea to pay Lyons £13million for his services 12 months ago. The France midfield player has told Scolari that he wants to stay at the club, despite complaining of homesickness last season and there being strong interest from AS Roma.

“I have the players for exciting football and for us to be champions,” Scolari said. “But now it's time for me to test. We received Ballack yesterday and we need to train him more to get ready for the game against Portsmouth. I need to give more chances to Malouda because I don't know his best position.

“He was wasted last season. He didn't play in the same role as at Lyons. I want Malouda the same as he was in Lyons, flying down the wing and getting forward with [Franck] Ribéry, like he did with France, shooting and scoring goals.”

Scolari believes that Deco, the £8.1million signing from Barcelona, can help to elevate Chelsea's style of play. He also expressed relief at the increased likelihood that Frank Lampard will stay at Stamford Bridge after Gabriele Oriali, an Inter Milan director, confirmed yesterday that they had abandoned their pursuit of the player after the signing of Sulley Muntari from Portsmouth.

“Deco has his style and his style improves other players,” Scolari said. “That's better for Chelsea. He can make everyone better. I'm happy that Lampard is staying here and happy here. I don't want to answer about Inter Milan. I know one thing for certain: Lampard is here with us, now and tomorrow. After tomorrow, after one year, after two years, ten years, I don't know. But today, he is with Chelsea.”

After scoring 13 goals without reply in three matches in Asia, Chelsea fly to Moscow today to contest the Railways Cup against Lokomotiv Moscow, AC Milan and Seville. Scolari is expecting a far tougher challenge and will abandon his practice of making wholesale changes at half-time.

“We'll have two games in Russia and that'll be different,” Scolari said. “In Russia, I'll select a team and won't make more than three or four changes. I will be thinking about Portsmouth. I think I have found the best formation. I have ideas and I've put those into the three games. Now I have the balance for these three games. I know to use some players more, to use some players less.

“I'd seen games on television or on video before, but now I've worked with my side for 20 days. I know more about personalities, outside the field and on the field. It's better for me after these three games for this.”

Room for improvement

Five Stamford Bridge stars on whom the jury is still out:

Florent Malouda
Started only 16 league matches last season, for the very good reason that he struggled to adapt to demands of the Premier League. Must get better to stay beyond January.

Andriy Shevchenko
Even Roman Abramovich has accepted that his best days are gone, but with no other club willing to pay his wages, the Ukraine striker could at least turn himself into become a useful impact substitute.

Nicolas Anelka
Scored only two goals following January move from Bolton Wanderers and embarrassed himself by refusing initially to take penalty in Champions League final.

Shaun Wright-Phillips
The England winger, 26, has reached a crossroads where he must finally fulfil some of his promise or return to playing at a lesser level.

Ashley Cole
Has struggled to recapture form demonstrated at Arsenal, and will need to do so if he is to keep place in team and hold off the challenge of Wayne Bridge.