Sylvinho top stay on

Defender Sylvinho is hoping he escapes the Nou Camp cull this summer as Barcelona look to start afresh after two years without a major trophy.

Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain confirmed on Monday that there would be plenty of changes to the playing squad, who will be under the guidance of Pep Guardiola next season following the departure of coach Frank Rijkaard.

A number of Barca's players are already being linked with new clubs, but Sylvinho is keeping his fingers crossed that he will be offered a new contract that will enable him to stay with the Catalan giants next season.

"I really want to remain here, the truth is that I am comfortable in the city, I feel connected to the club and as well as that I have all my family here," said the Brazil international, who has been at Barca since 2004.

"If I stay here, Barca would be the team where I will have spent most time, and for me that would be a very important fact in my life."

If he does continue at the Nou Camp then the former Arsenal, Celta Vigo and Corinthians player will have a new coach to impress with Guardiola being promoted from Barca's reserve team.

Guardiola, the former team captain, is a hero at the club and Sylvinho is pleased for the man, who at 37 is only three years older than the Brazilian.

"It is good that Pep is coming, the people like him and he is doing an incredible job with Barca B," Sylvinho said on Barca TV.

"On a few occasions we have trained with the B side and therefore with Guardiola, and I think he has done a very thorough and good job. I hope he has a lot of luck and that everything works out well."