05.09.2009 11:05
Keeper options change
Berta Brau
With the departure of Albert Jorquera, Valdes and Pinto are the two keepers who will be defending the Barca goal this season. Goalkeeping coach Juan Carlos Unzué, reckons: “there is nothing written in stone as to who is Guardiola’s first choice.
Three keepers in the first team squad was always a difficult situation and Unzue admitted that this
was one of the most important reasons in finding a way out for Jorquera.
Three’s a crowd
“If we go back to before Pinto came, you can see that the normal thing was
that we had two keepers in the seven years I’ve been here. What happened was Jorquera got
injured and we felt the other keepers at the club were too young to ber thrown in ant the deep end.
Last year though, it was clear that three keepers in the squad was very difficult – both for
the players themselves and for the coaches. If being reserve keeper is tough, then being the third
keeper is even tougher-If you are not included in the squad to travel to games for instance,
it’s very easy to feel excluded from the group”.
Confidence in the youngsters
Juan Carlos Unzué keeps a close eye on the youngsters coming through and believes
that in the last 18 months: “our young keepers, - Oier, Rubén Miño or Jordi Masip –
have gained enough experience for us to be confident about using them when we need to”.
“Nothing written in stone”
As to the roles of Valdes and Pinto, Unzue insisted: “I’ve always said there is
nothing written in stone as to their respective positions this season. We want to maintain the
motivation of all the players and reward the efforts we see in training every day. The players have
to feel they are useful for the group because that helps them to produce their best”.
Valdés
The Navarran was full of praise for Valdes though, claiming: he’s
one of the best keeper sin the world”, whilst expressing his surprise at the lack of
recognition he gets;”maybe the impression he gives fools some people at times, but I also
know that for him the individual recognition and rewards are not a priority. What makes people
remember you is what you are capable of achieving as part of a team”.
Pinto
Unzue also praised José Manuel Pinto, who came to Barcelona in January
2008 as the third ranked keeper and has now fought his way up to challenge Valdes. “Life can
be fair at times and he’s got what he deserves for all the hard work his put in throughout
his career. His life has changed enormously since he’s been here. Sometimes you have to know
when to fight for what you think is right, but also to accept a decision and knuckle down. Pinto is
always looking to bring the maximum to the group and at the same time to fight for as many minutes
on the pitch as possible”.