Eurosport - Tue, 17 Jun 19:35:00 2008
New Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has given a strong hint that he will sell unsettled star trio Ronaldinho, Deco and Samuel Eto'o this summer, with several English clubs understood to be lining up bids.
Ronaldinho and Deco have suffered from a lack of form and fitness in recent seasons while Eto'o was involved in a high-profile spat with Ronaldinho in 2007.
"We are making plans for a squad without them," Guardiola said at his official presentation. "This comes from analysing questions of performance, recent seasons they have had in the team, and other factors."
Sporting director Txiki Begiristain also said that the sale of the trio would be "better for the team".
Ronaldinho (28) and Deco (30) both protested at a club charter on player professionalism earlier in the season that saw the club finish third in La Liga, which led to the sacking of coach Frank Rijkaard.
Both have also been criticised for their social habits, with Ronaldinho reportedly absent from training sessions after late-night partying and Deco's private affairs also coming under scrutiny.
"If we felt Ronaldinho wanted to return to be the player he was, he would be here," Guardiola continued.
"But the situation has deteriorated and I want to forge a strong dressing room."
But that has not put off Manchester City and Chelsea, who are respectively set to bid for the Brazil forward and Portugal playmaker. Internazionale boss Jose Mourinho - for whom Deco played at Porto - is also reportedly keen on a reunion with the Brazil-born midfielder.
Arsenal and Tottenham have also been named in connection with Cameroon's former Mallorca striker Eto'o, while Milan have expressed their interest in both him and Ronaldinho.
Eto'o's professionalism has never come into question, but his fall-out with Ronaldinho in the 2006/7 season - when both players criticised the other's contribution to the team - and a slump in form led to speculation that the pair could not play together.
"We are looking for a number nine who will complement Thierry Henry and Bojan Krkic, so that the three will all feel like first choices," Guardiola confirmed, with the clear implication that Eto'o's ego does not stand up to rotation.
Guardiola's appointment raised eyebrows as, despite his pedigree as a player, his coaching experience is limited to guiding the Barca B-team to the Segunda Division B.
"I understand the doubts people may have over my experience," he admitted.
"I know I am here because of my past as a player, but I feel the doubts will start to recede in a couple of months because I am convinced in my abilities.
"I would like to promise titles but I can't and I think it would be a mistake. I know we don't have time to lose. I want us to dominate games, I am a big fan of attacking football and prefer to see the ball in the other team's half."
Comment 8 - 27 of 27
Eto'o underrated, Adebayor overrated.
Victor Valdes is a permanent danger to Barca than any other attacker on earth,Pep this the area you should have started,not on the magic trio that has brought honour and glory to Barca.
The stats speak for themselves..........
Samuel Etoo
Season Club Championship European Competitions Caps
04-05 FC Barcelone 24 Goals, 37 Games 4 Goals, 7 Games (Champions League)
05-06 FC Barcelone 26 Goals, 34 Games 6 Goals, 11 Games (Champions League)
06-07 FC Barcelone 11 Goals, 19 Games 1 Goals, 3 Games (Champions League)
07-08 FC Barcelone 16 Goals, 18 Games 1 Goals, 7 Games (Champions League) 5 Goals, 6 Games
looser have more ascues to tell the world
today Barca do not need Roni but Decu important for team!
Good luck Roni and Deco(Fan from Uzbekistan)
I totally agree with alin, Barca should learn from Milan on how to treat their players. Barca seemed to be like that before until the new board came in. Now it is all to @#$%. There was even a lot of talk about not wanting Deco to take off his shirt because he has tattoos - how ridiculous is that! Barca have become a joke, sadly. I miss the old Barca :( Look at them trying to force Messi to miss the Olympics - that is disgusting. It is the Olympics for god's sake - it isn't like it comes around every year and he can just do it when he wants. I bet that won't go down well with him
To titou, Iniesta and Xavi are decent but HIGHLY overrated. They aren't football gods as everyone makes out. Neither of them will ever chase down a ball or help defend when needed. They make mistakes and just let it go, they don't even try to correct them. I don't know what was up with Rijkaard using Iniesta in an advanced position, he clearly isn't that kind of player. Anyway, I know the only reason they are hailed so much is because they are from there.
Anyway, Barca probably won't be too great next season either with an inexperienced coach, and a largely new team. The whole dynamic of Barca will be different with cheaters like Dani Alves in their ranks. Go figure Barca keep the @#$% players like Henry and get of the wonderful ones. HMMMPH
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The point in getting rid of them is to forge a strong dressing room atmosphere and to show that an inflated ego and late night partying will not be tolerated at Barca. The point is to put the group first and "personulities" last. Barca doesn't have to put up with that kind of "I am the star of this show" attitude. Guardiola knows what he's doing.
Sorry to say, fanboys, but they were not performing as well anymore as they used to... not because they were just in poor form, not because of bad luck...
They kept on going to late parties and showing up late for training, didn't try as hard. Nah, they were not performing as well anymore as they used to because of a lack of professionalism.
I don't think any team should put up with stuff like that, and I for one do not blame Barca for getting rid of them. Why pay Ronaldinho a frikking fortune every year if he is only half the player he was 3 years ago?
barca should learn from milan about the way they treat their players.
look at maldini, costacurta, simic, kaladze, serginho, cafu and so on
even if they are at their late 30`s milan kept on playing them, and respect them, even if they didnt always played at their best.
barcelona forgot where the club was when they appointed dinho de franck.
they have forgotten when dinho stole the round of applause on the bernabeu.or when he scored the best goal ever in footbal on standford bridge.or when he scored against milan.and the list is very very long.
they made a mistake when lost confidende in oleguer and brought in milito.
also silvinho si a lot better then abidal. thuram ruined all the matches he played in. zambrota never gave the club something usefull.
yaya toure never outclassed deco. henry wasnt a good investment also.
so to come now and say that dinho deco and etoo dinnt perform the way they used to, is just a lack of proffesionalism
heads up dinho!!!
the real football suporters are near u and we will always suport u
remember also what they did to rivaldo
go dinho!!!
Adios Dinho, no more night Clubing with Frank daughter, she can be mine now
ronaldinho will be a legend i will remember him as barcelona hero
aziz89 Eto is world class so you respecting Eto are not dnt really matter. guess what? nobody gives a damn abt who you respect.
i think that it's time for a new cycle...even les meringues did that...the blaugrana's amazing trio has been unbelievable in the past few seasons but there is no motivation anymore...i can't blame the club for putting ronnie on sale the guy has been useless since the world cup and they gave him many many chances but no hope...the problem of eto'o is his ego and he shares part of the responsiblity for losing the title in 06/2007 for his stupid comments...the departure of Ten Cate had a major impact but u could c it coming from the way barca kept playing...rijkaard tried his best but it just didnt work coz the other teams c barca style now as predictable...Portugal_Barca_Love I think u r totally wrong about iniesta and xavi, they'v been the most consistent stars along with messidonna this season (just look at the stats, number of assists, and accurate passes rate ;-)....deco has really surprised me in the eurocup but it seems like he's doing it on purpose to attract the attention of the blues, although i wish 2 c him in barca next yr it's pretty certain he's leaving!...the bottom line is: it's time for change, good luck to the amazing trio who really entertained us football fanatics and good lock to barca next season...i hope 2 c them crowned champions next season with guardiola...VISCA EL BARCA
Eto'O is really trouble maker, if you score goals, even if you are the best in the world (btw Eto'O never was), dont let YOUR EGO speak! I dont respect ppl like Eto'O
dont judge Barca, we will never forget what Ronnie has done for us, but he is not playing as he did, maybe he started feeling himself as a star (yeah he is), but still you have to fight not only for yourself, but for your club! In the team, there is no "I". I dont judge Ronaldinho, but it is the right time to leave... Respect Mr. Dinho! I wish you succes in future!
I did love Barca but after seeing how they treat their players, I am no longer such a fan. They keep overrated, overhyped BS players like Xavi and Iniesta and completely overhype their so called new wonder kid (Bojan), when he isn't even as good as they let on - meanwhile, treating the ones with REAL talent like @#$%. Look what they did with Rijkaard when the real problem was Cruyff. You cannot work well with an assistant you don't like too much and who runs their mouth. Henk Ten Cate was awesome and it all fell apart when he left.
Anyway, I hope Ronnie recaptures his form and finds a great club to do it with. I am 100% sure that Deco will recover from his injuries and personal problems (divorce and a very ill baby) - as for Eto'o, his ego is his problem and he is a trouble maker.
Barce is a waist....football clubs are really ungreatful.....the just use palyers and dump them....when they pass their best and start finding stupid reasons. Am sure Deco, Etoó and Ronnie will certainly find a great club
Barcelona is fool of s%&t.GAUCHO should go back to Brasil and play.This europeans will drag his, name into the mud.look what they did to Andriano,Requilme to mention a few.F@%&K barcelona.
it shows now that it is all over for barca,my joys are more for madrid becos i dont see what the team can do especially without eto and ronnie.get rid of the stupid valdez,even a little kid is better than him.go madrid.
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