Gudjohnsen confident of staying at Barcelona

Barcelona’s Icelandic international Eidur Gudjohnsen, who had been expected to be dropped when Pep Guardiola took over in July, said Saturday he was confident of staying at the club.

The 29-year-old former Chelsea player said he had talked with the new coach after his summer break and was reassured about his future at the club.

“I was doubtful about my future but when speaking with Guardiola he told me he believed in me and felt I could help the team a lot.

“I only wanted to stay if the manager believed in me and if I could bring something to the team,” he added.

Gudjohnsen signed a four-year deal with Barcelona in June 2006 after six seasons with Chelsea where he was used mostly as a striker.

“There are a lot of midfielders in the team but they all have different qualities. Guardiola has asked me to come from deep and score goals,” he said.

“The season will be long with almost 70 games and the team needs all its players in top form.”

Gudjohnsen has put in a strong performance in the pre-season, scoring two goals in a 6-0 win over Scottish side Hibernian in a friendly last July.