Luiz Felipe Scolari has demanded significant funds to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window after missing out on Robinho. The Chelsea manager was shocked to learn of his fellow Brazilian's move to Manchester City late on Monday because, despite his public caution, he had been led to believe that the 24-year-old's signature was virtually in the bag, with Peter Kenyon proudly discussing the club's ability to sign the world's leading players from rivals such as Real Madrid at a charity launch last week.

Scolari does not blame Kenyon for the failure to sign Robinho, with the chief executive acting on instructions from Roman Abramovich not to meet Real's £32 million valuation, but he made it clear that he expects to be compensated with an increased transfer kitty next year. The Brazilian's dismay has been heightened by the fact that Robinho was one of only two players that he asked for when he was appointed manager in June.

Scolari is also concerned that, with 23 first-team players, his squad lacks the depth to cope with injuries because of the mass exodus since he took charge. Claude Makelele, Tal Ben-Haim, Andriy Shevchenko, Claudio Pizarro, Steve Sidwell and Shaun Wright-Phillips have left Stamford Bridge this summer, with Deco and José Bosingwa the only players bought by the club.

Chelsea are particularly short up front. Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou are the only alternatives to Didier Drogba, who is some way from a first-team comeback, despite playing 60 minutes for the reserve team on his return from a knee injury on Monday. “I wanted up to 25, not 23, because we have new rules from Uefa and I need to put some players from the academy and from England, so I need a balance,” Scolari said. “I am still getting to know all the squad.

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“When I arrived I had 28, 29, 30 players, but now I choose 25. In January, maybe, I'll have one more player in, or one or two leaving. Now I know the balance for the team, what I need if I have injuries here or there. Before, I didn't know very well what was happening with the players.

“In the future, we'll change one or two players. That's normal. All of the coaches in the world, when they arrive, assess the players. After that, my idea is better to buy one player for this position or sell one from that position.”

Chelsea are working on a long-term deal to sign Kaká from AC Milan that they hope will reach fruition next season, although the absence of Robinho may lead them to pursue his Brazil team-mate more vigorously in January. Kaká's appeal is enhanced by the fact that he would be eligible to play in the latter stages of this season's Champions League for Chelsea because Milan are in the Uefa Cup, but securing such a big signing midway through a campaign would be unprecedented.