Sylvinho wants Barca stay

FC Barcelona left back Sylvinho has expressed his optimism that he shall be allowed to stay on at Camp Nou by the club after he was praised by the club's sporting director Txiki Begiristain for his influence both on and off the pitch.

Barcelona are on the verge of a mass renovation for two trophy-barren seasons under outgoing coach Frank Rijkaard with new coach Josep Guardiola set to wring several changes to the squad.

It has been surfaced that no fewer than ten old faces at Camp Nou would be broomed out of Barcelona and the Brazilian internatonal left back Sylvinhois thought likely to be one of them. But in the wake of Begiristain's applaud of the 34-year's old capability to handle young players and also his predisposition not to rush into controversy, the idea that Sylvinho might as well say on at Barca is being mooted.

The player himself wants to play for Barca next season and said:

"I really want to stay here. The truth is that I am very comfortable in the city, I feel I identify with the club and also all my family are here now.

"If I stay, Barça will have been the club where I have spent the most time. That would be an important thing for me."