Frank Rijkaard commends new signings, plans to play fabulous four together.


FC Barcelona's coach Frank Rijkaard has expressed satisfaction with the Barcelona management for the quality and calibre of players that were signed this summer for the Blaugrana. After the signing of Thierry Henry from Arsenal FC, Toure Yaya, Eric Abidal and Gabriel Milito were also signed to play for Barca, with a new keeper, Olazabal broght in to assist Valdes. Rijkaard says:

I am very happy with the new signings. The board and Txiki Begiristain have worked well and I think that the squad looks great and I am looking forward to starting work again. The beginning of a season is always special.

Speaking on the possibility of the fabulous four, Eto'o, Ronaldinho, Theirry Henry and Lionel Messi all playing together at once, Coach Rijkaard said :

Those four players playing together at the same time is not an impossible thing. Mathematically it is possible. Every game begins with 11 players and they are part of the squad. Tactically, that is another thing although they all have so much quality that they could play alongside anyone.
The Dutch manager spoke on the guiding principle of hardwork and the discipline as elements necessary to achieve success and balance in the Catalan outfit:

The key to success will be down to the work done every day. A perfect combination for any sportsman is work and rest. After working hard you have to have a good night's sleep at the end. As for the internal code of conduct, it is obvious that any team needs direction and I am the first to realise that it is my job to give that. I do not think that this will affect the attitude of the players.

Finally, Rijkaard paid tribute to the departed players of Barca, Van Bronckhorst, Saviola and Giuly, saying :

Everyone who has played their part in the team has to be given respect and I have good memories of all of them. I will value my time with those players and they will always be welcome back.