Guardiola wanted to replace Henry this summer

Madrid sports tabloid As claims that Barcelona wanted to replace Barcelona forward and French international Thierry Henry (31) during the past summer transfer window.

Because Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola would have had enough of the clash of the egos of Henry and Eto'o, he reportedly asked the club to look for a new left winger.

Although it was Eto'o who took all the hits from the press and Henry came out of it fairly undamaged because of his good relationship with the media and the entourage of the club, Guardiola would have wanted to get rid of both players.

Barcelona would therefore have been discretely sounding out the market over the last months and contacted among others left wingers like Riera, Robben, Robinho, Mata and Silva. But although those players would have agreed to join Barcelona, it was not possible to close a deal with their clubs. If Barcelona would find a new left winger next year, Henry will probably leave the club at the end of this season.

Read more:
Robben confirms Barcelona interest
Henry wants to play in the US one day
Barcelona keeping an eye on Robinho

Henry: "Our work rate is extraordinary"

Barcelona forward Thierry Henry has unconfirmedly said in an interview with French sports paper L'Equipe that he has been playing with pain over the last couple of weeks:

"I'm still in pain. I have now been struggling for three weeks with my tendinitis and above all my knee. I had to rest when France played against the Faroe Islands match and in the Gamper game, because I just could not go on that way.

I wanted to restart too quickly to be back to my best for the first leg of the Spanish super cup. But I had a lot of pain. On Sunday, things were much better. My tendons left me in peace. It often happens to me at the start of the season but it should be gone now.

A new treble? I think we should go game by game, like we did last year. You have to be aware that Barcelona has been the first Spanish club to have won the treble. I guess that shows it's not an easy thing to do. People always say that Barcelona is playing well, but you shouldn't forget that the work done by the guys on the pitch is extraordinary. We defend all together. That is what allows us to recover the ball higher on the pitch. And that can change a game."

Read more:
Video Interview: Henry on past and present
Medical: Henry out with Achilles tendon injury
Henry wants to play in the US one day

Happy Birthday: Thierry Henry

Barcelona player Thierry Henry turns 32 today.
Congratulations!

Video Interview: Henry on past and present

note: video from ESPN Soccernet

Henry wants to play in the US one day

Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to the Major League Soccer (read more here), Barcelona forward and French international Thierry Henry (31) has said in an interview with American newspaper The New York Times that he hopes it will be possible in the future:

"The other day, playing in the Rose Bowl, that was outstanding. The crowd responded so well. It was just brilliant. I'm a Barcelona player now. Whenever I talk about it, people think the next day I'll be coming to play here. That's not really the case. It's a wish, and I hope that one day it can be done. But I'm enjoying my time in Barcelona, I absolutely love it, but I wish that one day, it can be possible."

read the full interview report in The New York Times here


Read more:
Henry leaving door open for future MLS move
Barcelona's wage structure
Video: Henry goals 2008/09

Barcelona's wage structure

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona's wage scale has six levels:



GROUP A
Messi

GROUP B
Henry
Ibrahimovic

GROUP C
Alves
Xavi
Iniesta
Puyol

GROUP D
Valdés
Touré
Márquez
Keita

GROUP E
Bojan
Piqué
Jorquera
Pinto
Busquets

GROUP F
Pedro
Víctor Sánchez
Muniesa
Jeffren

Picture of the day: Henry, Ibrahimovic and Messi

Henry leaving door open for future MLS move

Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to the Major League Soccer, Barcelona forward and French international Thierry Henry (31) left the door open for the future at a press conference ahead of Wednesday friendly against Seattle Sounders:

"For now, I'm just happy to be here with Barcelona. I'm enjoying all this and we'll see after that."

Seattle Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer meanwhile said that Seattle's presumed interest in Henry (read more here) was never there while the team was considering signing a designated player which ended up being Ljungberg: "I've always said he's one of my favourite players in the world, and who wouldn't want him on their team. But that's about as much to it as there is."

MLS commissioner Don Garber said at the same press conference that a future move would be welcomed: "The league has no interest in talking to Henry while he is under contract to Barcelona, but he would really be a guy that would help grow the sport here. And at the right time, when he's ready and we can find the right place for him, I think he would be a great signing for us."

Read more:
Henry could join New York Red Bulls in 2011
Video: Henry goals 2008/09
Henry negotiating with new MLS team

Henry advises Arsenal to follow Barcelona example

Asked about his situation at the club, Barcelona player Thierry Henry (31) has said in an interview with British tabloid The Sun that he's now focusing on his recovery:

"I pushed myself so hard to play in the Champions League final. The doctors told me I should rest for two months after the initial injury but I was back after two weeks. I was virtually playing on one leg against Manchester United in the final but was so desperate just to be a part of the team.

Now I am being a bit more cautious. I'm working hard in training and will go with the team on the tour of the United States, but I am not kicking a ball yet. Hopefully I will be OK for the start of the season but the most important thing is to make sure the knee is fully recovered."

Henry also commented on the situation of his former club Arsenal: "It is more difficult to achieve success without money, but it's not impossible with the right attitude. Just look at Barcelona. We won the treble this year and proved you can succeed by developing your own players and blending them with one or two expensive signings. Iniesta, Xavi, Messi, Puyol, Pique and Valdes all came through the system at Barcelona.

Arsenal are trying to do the same thing and are very close to achieving their ambitions. Yes, they are still a very young team. But they are not inexperienced. They have been playing together for quite a while and are capable of anything. I still believe they have enough quality to win the Premier League. It is difficult for me to talk about Arsenal. Whenever I do, it is always with my heart, not my head. It is going to be a difficult task for Arsenal this time and it is vital that everyone keeps the faith.

I know how those supporters feel. Like them, I am Arsenal through and through and we all suffer when the team doesn't win anything. Everyone wants immediate success and after four seasons without a trophy, Arsenal supporters have become impatient. All I can say to them right now is to have faith in Arsene and know that the first trophy in five years will be more enjoyable than ever."

read the complete interview here


Read more:
Video: Henry goals 2008/09
Pique reveals dressing-room secrets
Medical: Marquez, Henry and Maxwell recovering

Video of the day: Henry goals 2008/09

Pre-Season: 1
La Liga: 19
Champions League: 7 (1 @ qualification)
Copa del Rey: 1

(Unfortunately there's no audio. Feel free to listen to your own music. Or make your own sounds. Fair enough.)

Henry speaks at press conference

Barcelona player Thierry Henry spoke today at a press conference:

"This year will be very difficult. Everyone will want to beat us and every game will be very difficult. Our season will also be very long. Real Madrid? I believe we'll be close all season but I hope our experience will push the balance in our favour.

For me next season is all in the past. I don't need any kind of motivation because football itself and winning the next match are enough. What I enjoy most is competing, to be in a club that always wants to win every match and that's what keeps me motivated.

I can only tell you that Eto'o is a great friend of mine and a fantastic player. And he's still a Barça player and my team-mate."

read more and watch images of the press conference here

Official players' pictures (part 2)

Seydou Keita

Víctor Sánchez

Eidur Gudjohnsen

Aliaksandr Hleb

Pedro

Lionel Messi

Thierry Henry

Bojan

Thierry Henry Nominated For Golden Foot Award

Thierry Henry's excellent season with Barça has continued to earn him accolades. He has been nominated for this year’s Golden Foot award. The Golden Foot is given to players who are at least 29 years old and have had outstanding careers in football.

This is Henry's third nomination, the first one was in 2007 which Del Piero won, and the second in 2008 (the award went to Roberto Carlos). Other past winners include Ronaldo (2006), Andriy Shevchenko (2005), Pavel Nedved (2004) and Roberto Baggio (2003). A Barça player has never won this particular award.

This year, Henry is facing competition from the likes of Raúl (Madrid), Buffon (Juventus), Totti (Roma), Giggs (Manchester United), Figo (Inter), Trezeguet (Juventus), Ronaldinho (Milan), Beckham (LA Galaxy) and Gerrard (Liverpool).

The winner of the Golden Foot leaves a permanent mould of his footprints on "The Champions Promenade", sort of a "Walk of Fame" of international football on the seafront of the Principality of Monaco.


click here to vote for Thierry Henry

source: fcbarcelona.com
editing: xaviniesta

Pique reveals dressing-room secrets

In the run-up to the Champions league final, Barcelona player Gerard Piqué discussed his team-mates in an interview with British tabloid The Daily Mail.





Víctor Valdés
He's unbelievable when one-on-one with a player. The fact he's not in Spain's team is strange because he is one of the best five goalkeepers in the world. I like him because he doesn't moan when I am DJ in the dressing room. He also plays the piano.

Carles Puyol
Despite playing centre-back, I think he is best at right-back. He is like a barnacle or limpet that you find on rocks on the beach. You have to keep scratching away but still get little out of it! He is the captain, a good friend but an animal who is relentless on the pitch. If I was playing chess, he would be my rook. A tower of strength.

Gerard Piqué
What can I say? Scandalously good-looking (see my picture, above right). Talented on and off the pitch. There's nothing better than me, but maybe I could do with a little more confidence!

Sylvinho
The daddy of the team. A real good guy. He is always concerned for the welfare of the side and asks questions all the time when we are travelling, making sure we are ok. Not played enough in key games but very reliable.

Xavi
Best example of how good Barcelona's academy can be. He loves the ball more than anything else in the world. It is almost impossible to take the ball off him in training and if anyone does you normally get an ovation from the rest of the team.

Sergi Busquets
He is the rookie of the season. He was a striker and Pep changed him into a defensive midfielder. We call him Superman. You can kick him as much as you like but he won't feel it. He will be a reference point in world football in a few years' time.

Andrés Iniesta
Best midfielder in the world. You can study his hips as he is moving towards you but he will bluff you with his body. If Andres scored more goals he would be the biggest act in the world. Bigger than any singer! As a person, soft as a loaf of bread.

Lionel Messi
No 1 in the world. You can't fight against him, you will lose because he is quicker and more athletic than you. Not superstitious, but always wears his Argentina flag shinpads. I grew up with him here at Barcelona and he hasn't disappointed me.

Samuel Eto'o
We asked the coach and the chairman at the start of the season to make sure that we kept him. He had to stay, there's no other striker like him. He was having a bad time but proved to everyone that he is a top professional. He is fanatical about cars and watches.

Thierry Henry
He looks very cocky, but on a daily basis he has shown strong humility — despite being the best footballer in Arsenal's history. He kisses a tattoo on his wrist every time he scores and I have told him he is in danger of wearing out his skin, he has scored so many.

Yaya Touré
He always leaves everyone open-mouthed with his show of strength. Quiet in the dressing room but very friendly and never complains. He doesn't care whether he plays defensive midfield or centre-back, and we all feel comfortable whichever position he plays. Has some unusual dance moves, though.

Seydou Keita
The lungs of the team. He can run from deep and score, he is good in the air and cares a lot defensively. He doesn't know the meaning of the word 'no'. He says 'yes' to requests from the gaffer and ends up paying five times for it.

Eidur Gudjohnsen
The Viking or The Gargoyle. He has a special humour for the dressing room. He is always funny and cheery. Unbelievable first touch and is probably the best in the team with his back to goal. Speaks very good English and likes a party.

Bojan
It doesn't matter how many minutes he plays, because he always gets a chance. Don't give him half a metre because he will take you to the cleaners. His body is like a snake, he can change direction quickly and can slip past easily. He is a kid in the dressing room but I am trying to make him become a man!

read the full article including Piqué's comments on his former Manchester United team-mates here


Read more:
The merging paths of Pique and Busquets
Pique: "Classical music makes me fall asleep"

Henry could join New York Red Bulls in 2011

Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Major League Soccer team New York Red Bulls (read more here), Barcelona forward and French international Thierry Henry (31) told journalists that this could be an option in a few years time:

"You can never know but the truth is that it's very likely. I think it will be. You never know but yes, I think it will be. I have a contract for four years. I have more years on my contract, so I was always staying for now. I was never leaving. But it might be possible in 2011. I will stay at Barcelona for the two more years I have left and then I will leave."

Read more:
Manchester City working on Henry transfer
Henry could be put for sale in the summer
Can pay rise convince Henry?

Eto'o and Henry top targets for Manchester City

British tabloid The Daily Mirror claims that Barcelona forward and Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o (28) and Barcelona forward and French international Thierry Henry are, two of the three main transfer targets of Manchester City (read more here).

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes will have over 300 million euro to spend this summer and the club plans to make huge salary offers to tempt top players who otherwise might be put off signing for the club because they are not in Europe next season.

British tabloid The People claims that Manchester City is ready to make a 35 million euro° bid for Eto'o. The player's agent Josep Maria Mesalles would have met representatives of the English club last week. Manchester City would have offered the striker a four-year deal worth more than 8 million euro a year.

Read more:
Eto'o close to joining Manchester City
Messi rejects record offer by Manchester City
Manchester City monitoring Eto'o and Henry

Advertisements of the day: Henry, Keita, Eto'o

Arsenal not excluding Henry return

Asked if there was a chance that Barcelona forward and French international Thierry Henry (31) could return to Arsenal, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger left the door open in an interview with British tabloid News of the World:

"Of course there's a chance of him returning. I hope for the club to have people of his quality. It would be difficult as a player because in 2010 he will be 33. I still talk to him. He was on the phone not long ago.

Thierry does not miss one Arsenal game on TV. He even watches the reserves. He has a very strong link with this club. He had a massive influence here which also had a massive influence on his career. I believe somewhere in everybody's career one club has a stronger pull than any other. For him it would be Arsenal.

It was his decision to leave in 2007. I tried to convince him to stay. He said, 'The way you are going you will have a great team in two or three years. But I can't wait that long. I am 30 years old'. He knew from training. When he left Cesc Fabregas was 19, for instance. Thierry is very intelligent.

Last year we had 83 points and with him we might have got the extra points that would have won us the championship. But after eight years it was difficult to stand in his way. When he had given us so much and had the opportunity in Barcelona we had to make a decision."

Read more:
Manchester City monitoring Eto'o and Henry
Several clubs preparing bid for Barcelona players
Messi-Eto'o-Henry: Barcelona's Prolific Trident

Barcelona considering bid for Milan striker Pato

German football site 4-4-2 claims that Barcelona is interested in AC Milan forward and Brazilian international Alexandre Pato (19).

Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola would like to sign the player and Barcelona is said to consider making a bid during the summer transfer window.

Although Milan doesn't think about letting the Brazilian striker leave, Barcelona would be ready to offer Barcelona forward Thierry Henry (31) plus seven million euro° for Pato, who has a contract with Milan until 2012.

Read more:
Ribery or Gourcuff to replace Henry next summer
Milan wants Puyol to replace Maldini
Pirlo rejects Barcelona offer


Watch a video of Pato here:

Bayern Munich opens the door for Ribery

Asked about the rumours linking Werder Bremen player Diego with a move to his club, Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has suggested in an interview with German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung that Bayern Munich attacker and French international Franck Ribéry (26) could be on his way out:

"Diego is only an option for us if Ribéry would actually leave." Unconfirmedly adding: "Our intention is then to sign Diego. He has the talent and the ability needed to replace Ribéry, if the latter in the end decides to move to Spain. I have heard that both Barcelona and Real Madrid want him."

British tabloid The Daily Telegraph meanwhile claims, based upon sources close to the club, that Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola wants to sign Ribéry and Valencia forward and Spanish international David Villa (27) to replace Barcelona forwards Samuel Eto'o (28) and Thierry Henry (31), who could both end up in the English Premier League. Valencia would be asking a transfer fee of 30 million euro° for the Spanish striker.

Read more:
Total deal on Ribery transfer
A goalkeeper, a left back and a striker
Villa first option to replace Eto'o