Scolari has shown in the past that he can work effectively with a large squad. During the 2002 World Cup at which his Brazilian team were victorious, he used every player apart from the reserve goalkeepers. He also showed a willingness to shuffle the pack with Portugal.
Scolari likes a shuffle
His achievements in the game will no doubt earn him respect from even the sulkiest of over-paid superstar, and Chelsea have a few of them. His manner is friendly yet professional, and there seems to be few reasons to dislike the man.
A challenge on all fronts can mean playing over 60 games in a season, so players know that a measure of rotation is needed at some stage. Scolari has already done away with some of the excess of the squad he inherited, and injuries are bound to happen, with Michael Essien already ruled out until March. He has the reason and the means to keep the whole squad happy.
Can he keep all the superstars happy?
In fact Scolari's only real worry on this issue could be in midfield. He has brought Deco into a team in which two superstars, Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack, were already fighting for prominence in central midfield. To play Deco as the creative midfielder would mean either one being pushed further back in order to perform his dirty work.
The undisputed king of the holding role, Claude Makelele, has now departed, and so Essien's injury could mean either relying on John Obi Mikel, or asking Ballack or Lampard to drop back. Both are more than capable of doing so but prefer to be known for their attacking qualities.
Whereas Mourinho and Grant liked to play three central midfielders with two widemen and one central striker, Scolari seems to prefer two strikers, making the competition for a midfield birth that much more intense.
Anelka has a massive opportunity
One man who looks to profit from a change in system is Nicolas Anelka, who did not seem completely comfortable in the 4-3-3. Playing Anelka out wide did not exploit his finishing ability, while playing him as a lone striker did not fully exploit his pace.
On his day there are fewer better strikers in the world. A happy Anelka working in tandem with Drogba could give Chelsea another dimension in attack.
Robinho will not be missed
As far as team spirit is concerned, Chelsea's failure to sign Robinho may be a blessing in disguise. He has shown petulance for both club and country, reportedly demanding to be played up front for Brazil alongside Adriano.
While Scolari may have what it takes to deal with even the largest of egos, Robinho's potentially explosive relationship with Anelka and Drogba, who are not adverse to a bit of controversy themselves, could have been fatal for dressing room moral.
If Chelsea are to go one step further than last season and bring home some silverware, they must be united as a squad. The manager must be tactically astute and find a system to exploit the squads considerable talent that is also capable of the attractive football that Roman Abramovich demands.
A big ask maybe, but it looks more than likely that in "Big Phil" Scolari, Chelsea have the best man for the job.