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| Frank Rijkaard insisted that the possibility of Ronaldinho leaving his Barcelona squad had never even crossed his mind as the Brazilian forward continues his recovery from injury... Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard (pictured) has once again leapt to Ronaldinho's defence, calling his critics short-sighted and adding that the Brazilian's tenure at the Nou Camp club would continue. "In football, people forget very fast," he lamented. "But Ronaldinho's had an incredible time with Barcelona. Thanks to him, and what he's given us, we are where we find ourselves right now." The Dutchman once again insisted that the door was far from closed for a swift first team return for Ronaldinho. "We're all human, including him. And once he feels physically well, he'll be the player we knew once again," stated Rijkaard. But he saved his most emphatic statement for the idea that Ronaldino might soon leave the Nou Camp, with Chelsea a likely port of call. "It's not even crossed my mind that he'll leave," boomed Rijkaard. "Everyone can say whatever they want, but it surprises me that the press about Barcelona is always focused on this subject. The manager went on to add that he has not publicly discussed the private lives of players with journalists, and would not be doing so now. Instead, he focused on Ronaldinho's injury. "He's working under the auspices of doctors and the physiotherapists," he said. "He's working hard to be back with us as soon as possible. There is no other issue." Rijkaard went on to discuss Oleguer, the much-maligned defender who was criticised for his substitute appearance against Sevilla. The coach defended his man, saying, "[Oleguer] always takes to the pitch with an exemplary mentality. "When he plays from the start, he rarely makes mistakes. In addition, you can't build a team off creative and fantasiosos players alone; you need guys like Oleguer, too." Rijkaard's side face Real Zaragoza at the Nou Camp tomorrow in La Liga, the coach claiming that, "[they] always raise their game against Barcelona." However, he refused to focus on the minutae, casting a droll jab at the media in the process. "I don't know if they drink coffee or tea, or if any of them have bought a new car. All I know is that they are a strong and serious opponent," concluded Rijkaard. |