FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.08.2007 14:47

Eto'o: "I want to not go to Japan"

David Puig

Samuel Eto'o is in negotiations with the Cameroon national team in order to allow him not to play in the forthcoming friendly in Japan on August 22. The Barça striker is very close to full fitness and does not want another long trip.

Having worked hard throughout pre-season to ready for the first league game of the season, Eto'o is talking to the Cameroonian Football Federation to see if he can miss out on the trip to the Far East, where he has already been this summer. "I am trying to reach an agreement in order not to make this journey," he said. "I returned from the tour of Asia not long ago and I would not be happy if I had to go back so soon because of the problems of jet lag and fatigue. If in the end there is no agreement then I will go, I will play and when I come back I will be available to Frank Rijkaard is I am in the right condition."

Back to his best

Eto'o is happy with the way that things have gone in pre-season so far. He has shaken off any injury problems and is close to being back to his best. "Next month will be a year since I suffered my injury and I am improving all the time," he explained. "After a knee injury, it is difficult to return to your best, but I have had a good pre-season and am not far from being back to it now."

Searching for desire

The Cameroon striker is convinced that Barça will rediscover their best form too, that has seen them win the title twice and the champions League in recent seasons. "The other teams do not worry me, I only worry about my team," he continued. "If we have the same desire that was here when I joined the club then everything will be perfect. We have a great squad with some strong players in every position and not only in attack."

The League is a different story

Barça is one of the only Spanish top flight teams to have won all their pre-season games and are already being tipped to be favourites for the league title this season. Eto'o is wary of making any predictions, however: "The league is a different story," he said. "Until now we have played game in pre-season where the objective is to find out best form. We have done well up until now, but playing in the league is not the same. There is something extra there. The game against Racing Santander will be completely different."