News of Premiership options grow as FC Barcelona remain stalled in talks with Giovani's agent.


Self-proclaimed super agent, Pini Zahavi is upping the scales on Giovani do Santos as a contract with FC Barcelona is yet to be signed. Pini, who is a close friend to Chelsea's billionaire owner, Roman Abramovich, is more in favour of Giovani playing for an English Premiership side than the Mexican starlet staying at Barca. A rumoured 15 Million Euro price tag has been placed on Giovani as the Barca left-footer has been offered to Manchester United, Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspurs, who are all thought to be interested in the talented youngster.


Giovani however, feels more attached to FC Barcelona than to any other club. Dos Santos has his contract with the Blaugrana running till June 30 2008, after which a fresh contract with Barca will take effect or the winger will leave. So far, no agreement has been reached between Barca and Giovani's camp on the terms of a new contract. With Pini still central in negotiating among members of Gio's party, things could yet remain stalled and complicated.

Bojan Krkic and Giovani dos Santos inspired further by victory and Magnificent Messi.


The two youngsters and teenage sensations currently shaking up the ranks at FC Barcelona, Bojan Krkic and Giovani dos Santos, have been thrilled to watch Barca gradually rise to the feared form many predicted before the season began. Bojan Krkic made his La Liga debut at the Camp Nou against Sevilla, after making debuts in the La Liga away match against Osasuna, then having also his Champions League debut against Olympique Lyon. The 17-year old kid wonder speaks:

The match against Sevilla was a very complicated one, but the team performed brilliantly, and little by little we're showing form. It's clear to see that there are many interesting players emerging from the cantera. Yes, I still need to score, but I'll get more chances. We have to build up our rhythm but you can see that we’re progressing. People can see that Giovani and I are young and they appreciate the effort. As for Lionel Messi, he is such a great player who comes from another planet.

Giovani dos Santos, who won the penalty that earned Barca its second goal, also spoke on the good results so far, the players and the stars, Messi and Ronaldinho:

We were serious throughout the game and kept our concentration. We have beaten one of the best teams in the league. Great players like Lionel Messi are helping the team and I hope that he has a wonderful season. We've played two good matches in a row and have won both - that's the key thing. Also I hope Ronaldinho returns soon. His presence alone intimidates the opposition.

Ronaldinho is down with calf injury and is set to return to action soon, but at a yet to be specified date.

Goal machine Bojan Krkic reveals his unique experience after making his official debut for Barcelona, but the young one is still not satisfied.


After replacing his good friend, Giovani dos Santos in the 79th minute of the La Liga match against Osasuna in Pamplona, Bojan Krkic was certified as having made his first official debut for FC Barcelona on the 16th of September, 2007 at the age of 17 years, 20 days. Even though Bojan played for just ten minutes, the agile striker came close to scoring on two occassions and would have well sealed victory over Osasuna. It was a glimpse of what the future holds for the 17 year old in the red and blue stripes. Bojan Krkic speaks of his experience while making his debut:

It was a privilege just to play for ten minutes. It’s a dream come true. I’m very happy indeed. It was a special day for me.

Asked on how he felt in the pitch when he was playing hsi frist debut game, the young striker admitted that the ned to carry out goal-scoring duty became dominant once any striker entered the pitch:

Once you are out there on the pitch, you don’t worry about the score or making your debut, you just get on and do what you are supposed to do as well as you can. As a centre forward, you know that the longer you play, the more chances you’ll get, but I had a couple of occasions in the ten minutes, it was just a pity I couldn’t do more with them.

Bojan still doesn't feel complete and totally satisfied with making his debut. The reason is simple. He hasn't made a debut in the Camp Nou yet and this is what the goal-machine looks forward to doing very soon:

My first dream was to play for Barca, now it’s to play at the Nou Camp. That will be great. I’ve always had players who I tried to follow, but this is different, I’m in there with some of the World’s biggest stars and I’m determined to learn all I can from them. Both myself and Giovani have come up to the first team this season and we have to show the boss that he can count on us, but without putting too much responsibility on us. I think it’s good that they are keeping the pressure off us. I’m here with the first team squad now and the possibility of going back to the second team is completely discounted. I’m training with the first team and I want to show just why I’m here.

Goals and scoring more goals have become a problem for FC Barcelona, despite having one of the most fearsome names in attacking football. When Bojan was away in Korea for the U-17 world cup, discontent fans cried for his return to Camp Nou, believing the goal sensation will return with the goal-key for the Blaugrana and open up the floodgates for an unending shower of goals against Barca's opponents. Bojan gives his opinion:

I’ve only seen the Pamplona game of course, but even though you sometimes don’t have enough sharpness upfront, the quality we have, I’m sure that when the goals start to go in, they’ll not stop coming.

A good prediction for the future from the young one.

Bojan prepares for official debut,as Barca prepares for all-important encounter.


Goal machine, Bojan Krkic will have an opportunity to fulfil one of his life-long dreams when the 17 year-old steps onto the pitch this night against Osasuna in Pamplona. The youthful one, who has shattered all the goal-scoring records in Barcelona reserve team, is set to make his official debut for Barca as Bojan has travelled with the first team, after being named among top strikers by coach Frank Rijkaard. The list also includes Eidur Gudjohnsen, who just returned from injury and who has also proved his fitness by playing for his country Iceland three days ago. Gudjohnsen is the Iceland national team captain.


Argentine sensation Lionel Messi, captain Carles Puyol, Cameroonian international Samuel Eto'o and Brazilian Edmilson were all left out due to injury, while Mexican defender Rafa Marquez is on suspension after receiving a red card against Athletic Bilbao two weeks ago.


The full list of 18 players to visit Osasuna in pamplona include:


Valdés, Jorquera, Oleguer, Thuram, Milito, Sylvinho, Zambrotta, Abidal, Xavi, Deco, Iniesta, Touré, Gudjohnsen, Ezquerro, Giovani, Henry, Bojan and Ronaldinho.


The match kicks off at 21:00 CET and is a must win for Barca who are on 4 points from two games, well behind league leaders Real Madrid who have 9 points from three games.

Catching them young is desirable, but cutting them young is also a possibility.


Barcelona's goalkeeper trainer, Juan Carlos Unzue has taken a step toward shielding Barca's two sensational teenagers, Giovani dos Santos and Bojan Krkic from early media crowding out, explaining that too much media hype about the two will impact negatively on their careers. Unzue, recognising that attention comes naturally toward the two golden fishes in Giovani and Bojan, has as a preventive measure against pride and premature failure, advised the two youngsters to keep their feet to the ground inspite of all the news and rave reviews about them. Unzue believes that:

Bojan and Giovani just need to concentrate on bringing the most they can to the group, but not under pressure. It’s only normal that the media zoom in on them, playing at a big club like this, but it’s important that they are sensible kids, who know how to deal with the situation. They’re with the first team to learn, but it’s the older players who must carry the responsibility for success.

Giovani has already made his official for Barca in the La Liga game against Athletic Bilbao, while Bojan is hoping to do the same against Osasuna this weekend. Both have however, played games for Barcelona in the friendlies and Copa Catalunya matches, and both have scored goals as well.