Rijkaard not interested in rumours : Happy with Eto`o (16.06.2005)
At the end of the training session, the players posed for a photograph with players from the Japan Handicap Football Association. The team, made up of 15 mentally handicapped youngsters, had a unique opportunity to mix with some of their heroes.
It`s that time of the year when the sports press is full of rumours linking Barca to players around the globe but, speaking at a press conference prior to the match against Urawa, manager Frank Rijkaard declined to comment and suggested that the reporters direct their questions to the Club`s Director of Football: "I`m just concerned about working with the players I`ve got right now".
Happy with the squad
He stressed that he was extremely happy with his current squad including new signings Van Bommel and Ezquerro which he described as "well balanced". However, he refused to confirm that there would be no further signings, commenting: "You
never know what can happen", and denied that the arrival of a star player would break the unity in the squad: "There may be players of this type who need more attention but if motivation is high and theyve got talent, these situations can be put back on course".
The future of Saviola
Turning to the specific case of Argentine forward Javier Saviola, who has been out on loan this season to Monaco, Rijkaard said: "The Club is evaluating the situation" but stressed that he did not want to work with a large squad. However, he reminded reporters, "Saviola is a Barca player" and emphasized that it would be imprudent to prejudge the player`s future role.
Happy with Eto`o
Rijkaard also took the opportunity to express his satisfaction with Samuel Eto`o who, along with Deco, is currently renegotiating his contract with the Club: "He`s had a very good season and we`re all very happy with him".
