Thursday, 14th April, 2011
Barcelona boss Josep Guardiola has lavished praise on Shakhtar Donetsk youngster Yaroslav Rakitskiy. The 21-year-old impressed the Catalan boss over Barcelona’s two-legged Champions League quarter-final against the Ukrainian side, leading to talk that the Spaniards will soon try to buy the player.
"Rakitskiy is so strong", said Guardiola. "He is really good. His aggression is uncommon."
And the youngster’s current coach, Mircea Lucescu, also backed up Guardiola’s praise for the Ukrainian.
"Tonight I made him play as a centre back, but he is a full back", said the Romanian boss.
"He is extraordinary, he doesn’t fear anything, not even Barca."
From Guardiola’s comments speculation has grown that the Catalan club could now try to buy the young Ukrainian in the summer. There is no doubt Shakhtar will do all they can to keep hold of Rakitskiy however.
Read about the Top 10 Fledgling Talents in the Ukraine, including Rakitskiy by clicking here.
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