Rijkaard: We Are Starting From Zero

[Mabudi]

Hello to all.

Frank Rijkaard has wiped the slate clean at FC Barcelona as his squad returned to pre-season training on Saturday and said that he does not need a rulebook to control the players.

The Dutch coach is relishing the prospect of moulding a side that now includes four new stars and believes that their arrival has lifted morale again at Camp Nou.

Despite the new quartet of Thierry Henry, Éric Abidal, Yaya Touré and Gaby Milito, Rijkaard stated that every player will be reated equally.

"We all start from zero," he said.

"We have players here who know what it means to do things well for themselves and the public.

"Now we are all starting again and that has to be the motivation and that is great.

"When you want to win something it has to be like that.

"The talent is clearly there and so is the desire.

"We have a lot of quality, talent and experience, that is for sure.

"Now we have a lot of hard work to translate that onto the pitch and only at the end of the season will we know whether this team has been one of the best or not.

After the mid-season problems last term saw the board state that a new internal of code of conduct would be introduced, Rijkaard said that he does not need any help dealing with the players.

"A psychology manual? No, we are all human and the behaviour of the players has been good and that kind of thing is no necessary," he continued.

"I have had no problems and everyone is now working hard and the desire, motivation and illusion is there."

With the addition of new players, some exisiting squad members will be shipped out before the start of the campaign, but Rijkaard is ensuring that everyone feels involved until that happens.

"All the players have to be treated well as they deserve to be. We have a big squad and slowly but surely we will sort things out," he added.

"The new signings have given everyone a lift and that was seen immediately and is good news."

Barcelona leave for Scotland on Monday, where they will play Dundee United (Thursday, July 26) and Hearts (Saturday, July 28), before heading off on a tour of the Far East.

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