During an interview this morning, Barcelona president Joan Laporta insisted that veteran squad members such as Ronaldinho, Deco and Eto'o are going nowhere this summer, despite last season's failings...
Barca chief Joan Laporta spoke out about last season's squad in an interview with Catalunya Radio. Despite insisting that changes had to come this season, he defended some of the high-profile players involved.
Admitting that some players had "excessive confidence" last season, Laporta confirmed that he saw the problem as being almost solved. "We have a structure that works, a club that's in working order, and everything is under control. We had to fit in some screws," he said, referring to squad disharmony last season.
Eto'o and Ronaldinho were two players involved in unprofessional incidents last season. Laporta confirmed that any repetition of the problems of the last campaign may well see either one of the players disciplined by the club, but he insisted that they were not leaving the Nou Camp.
Still on the Ronaldinho theme, he claimed that the tendency of some players to miss training would "no longer be a problem" due to the new rules at the club.
He went on to defend coach Frank Rijkaard, proclaiming that he had complete confidence in the Dutchman, Rijkaard having demonstrated over the last four years that he is "right for Barca."
Finally, he hit back at suggestions that he was seen as a draconian figure by the players. "My relationship with the players is not one of permanent quarrelling," he intoned. "I'm not their father. I speak with them and reply to them; they know me, I know them and I respect them - to be a Barca player is not easy, as it requires sacrifice."
Laporta concluded by saying that he would not currently be renegotiating Ronaldinho's contract as it runs until 2010, although he hopes that both the Brazilian and Deco can return to their old form soon.
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