Guardiola not ruling out duo

And Barca boss expects more from Henry

By Lucas Brown   Last updated: 14th July 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Guardiola not ruling out duo

Guardiola: Keeping door open

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Pep Guardiola has said that if Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o are not sold by Barcelona then he will fit them into his squad, and added that a new striker was not urgent.

The new Blaugrana coach looked ahead to the new season on the first official day back for the club's first team squad while rumours surrounding the two superstars continued.

Ronaldinho is expected to leave this week, while the Eto'o saga looks set to run with no new forward closer to joining and the Cameroon international unlikely to leave soon.

"We do not include them in the plans for the season, but if in the end they stay then they will be welcomed and we will do everything to ensure that they are at their best," Guardiola said.

No problem

"Not having signed a new striker is not a problem. I know that these things can take time, but if in the end nobody comes in then that will not be a problem. With the squad we have now we can go a long way and compete."

Guardiola was then asked if he felt that he had made a mistake by announcing that Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Deco were not part of his plans last month.

"I do not think so. Everyone knew that and the club had already said so. If it was the case then I would have been told, but that has not happened," he explained.

Leading the front line could fall to Thierry Henry and Guardiola believes that the Frenchman, supported by Bojan Krkic and Lionel Messi, will have a much better second season at the club.

Expectations

"I'm expecting a lot of Henry," he continued. "I've spoken to him and I know that his first year wasn't easy, but I think he brings an awful lot to the team and I want to make the most of both him and Bojan."

After the recent vote of confidence was brought against the board because of th club's inability to win a trophy for two years, Guardiola looked to take the heat off the directors.

"If the team doesn't perform, that's our fault," he argued. "We need to make people proud of the way we play and behave and our attitude.

"I know that I am only 37 and do not have much experience. Maybe some of the players were hoping for a bland coach, but that is their bad luck because I am not and everyone is here to work."