Stoke City's Ricardo Fuller (left) and Chelsea's Alex battle for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, England, on Saturday. Chelsea won the match 2-0. - AP photos

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP):

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari believes the world's best football is currently being played in England and said Robinho was badly influenced to choose to join Manchester City instead of the Blues.

In an interview broadcast by Brazil's Globo TV yesterday, Scolari praised the Premier League, saying the quality of English clubs puts it on a different level when compared to all other national leagues around the world.

"It is the best championship in the world right now, in all aspects," the Brazilian said.

Scolari said no other can match the Premier league when it comes to the clubs' structure and financial situation.

Well organised

"All clubs are very well organised," he said.

Scolari also said he feels very comfortable coaching in England and that he has adapted well to the country's language and way of life.

"All fears I had before are gone," he said.

The coach said he was not disappointed when Robinho failed to reach an agreement to play for Chelsea, saying it's "part of the profession".

He said the Brazil striker may have been influenced by other people to skip Chelsea and accept the better financial offer from Man City.

"It's a situation that the coach or the club cannot control," Scolari said. "People around the athletes, sometimes for their own benefit, end up indicating a path that maybe is not the best for them."