Andoni Zubizarreta proud of his new French signing

Andoni Zubizarreta says he is delighted that Jeremy Mathieu has become a Barcelona player. At the presentation he spoke effusively about the French central defender.

"He is a player that used to play on the left but has come to play in central defence. Mathieu competes well and knows our football. He has the strength in defensive areas but also the quality to get the ball, and more, he has the determination to do what is needed when a situation arises."

The sporting director continued: "To play for Barca you need to take risks at the back. Mathieu has played for years and knows the game, he knows the pressure and knows the demands of the Camp Nou, he knows the players and will fit in seamlessly. Everybody knows he can speak Spanish."

Zubizarreta was forced to defend himself against questions about the club making mistakes in not signing defenders before Mathieu. 

"Last year we decided not to sign a defender, and now we have signed Mathieu," he said, referring to Carles Puyol, who has retired from playing, as the reason. 

He was also keen to avoid talk of signing a second defender, demanding that journalists asked about Mathieu instead. 

Zubizarreta insists that €20million is not too much for the Frenchman, even though he is nearly 31. 

"We continuously monitor the market, especially in the first part of the season, and from January we take a thorough look at the players, review our prime targets and then the final objectives are realised.

"Until August 31 we have time to improve and stop and look where we are."

He also admitted that Alex Song and Ibrahim Afellay could be heading for the Camp Nou exit. 

The coach also said that the door was always open for Xavi and both he and the club were delighted that the veteran midfielder was staying. 

"No 6 will always belong to Xavi Hernandez," he said.