Giuly welcomes competition

Ludovic Giuly is not worried by the increased competition for places at Barcelona this season.

The France international endured an injury-hit debut campaign at Camp Nou but still collected a winners' medal in La Liga.

Since the end of last season, Barca coach Frank Rijkaard has strengthened his midfield with the signings of Santiago Ezquerro and Mark van Bommel.

Giuly is not concerned that he may now struggle to secure a place in the team and has welcomed the new additions to the Barca squad.

"The competition is logical because a player cannot play for 60 games in a year," Giuly told the Catalan media.

"It is normal to have two or three players in the same position. It is normal that Ezquerro and van Bommel have arrived to contribute a lot.

"The team will benefit."

Barcelona will be strongly fancied to win the UEFA Champions League this season but he is not putting this competition at the top of his priorities.

He added: "It is an important title but the league is also important.

"On a personal level, I have come here to win many things. My objective is to obtain the league, the Champions League, the cup and all the titles that we can.

"This club is perfect for any player with ambition. This group can win it all."

Giuly also reiterated his previous comments that Barcelona are interested in signing Thierry Henry, and that the Arsenal ace is a fan of the club.

"He has told me that Barca like him a lot, that it is a big club, although he has also told me that he is very comfortable at Arsenal," continued Giuly.

"At any rate, he has said to me that he likes the city of Barcelona, the ground, the fondness and, above all, the play.

"He is a great fan of our football and last season saw many of our matches on television."