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| Eto''o vows to stay with Barcelona |
7/24/2007 |
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Cameroon striker Samuel Eto''o touched down with Barcelona''s superstars in Scotland - and insisted he has never wanted to leave the Spanish giants.
The 26-year-old striker was linked with both Liverpool and AC Milan earlier this month.
But Eto''o, who was speaking at St Andrews ahead of Barcelona''s friendlies against Dundee United and Hearts this week, says he is going nowhere.
"There has only been speculation," he pointed out.
"People have spoken about me and for me but I still have a contract with Barcelona and I''m really looking forward to playing with Barcelona next season."
The former Real Madrid and Real Mallorca frontman added: "All the interest makes me feel good and proud, but I have not thought about being transferred to another club.
"I''m happy at Barcelona. I''ve lived all my live in Spain and it''s a difficult country to leave - I can''t think of leaving Spain nowadays.
"I am very happy being at the best club in the world and with the best players in the world.
"I didn''t feel like leaving even when it was a bad season for the club. I feel the same way now as I did when I first signed for the club."
The US$32m arrival of Thierry Henry from Arsenal this summer increases competition for places up front.
But rather than fear the extra competition from the France international, Eto''o is thrilled that the squad will be even stronger for the season ahead.
He said: "Henry is adapting very well at the club, like the other new players.
"The sooner he adapts, the better it will be for the whole group."
Despite the hype surrounding the "Fantastic Four" of himself, Henry, Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho, Cameroonian frontman Eto''o was keen to stress there will be quality throughout the entire team as Barca prepare for the challenges which lie ahead.
Barcelona have a really good pool of players for the entire team, not just the forwards
Samuel Eto''o
He said: "Barcelona have a really good pool of players for the entire team, not just the forwards.
"We have to be happy having this great pool of players now, that''s the most important thing."
Real Madrid triumphed in the Primera Liga last term, and Barcelona also failed to deliver in the Champions League.
Eto''o admitted: "It''s going to be harder next season but it''s good to know that because it will make us work even harder.
"Experience is very important and has taught us the things that we didn''t do right last season.
"We all make mistakes in life and we learn from them. We need to avoid repeating the same mistakes and make sure we improve on the good points."
A stricter code of conduct has been implemented at the Nou Camp to ensure a better chance of success next term, and it will be enforced in Scotland, with every player on his best behaviour.
Eto''o insists there will be no backlash from the dressing room regarding the new hard-line approach.
"Whatever the club decides we have to accept that," he said.
"But we are adults, we are professionals and we take responsibility for our own actions.
"We are part of one of the best teams in the world, not only because we are good players but because of the way we are.
"No-one has to worry about how we are going to act in St Andrews - we are here to get ready for the new season."
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