Don't mess with Fabio: Capello will be brutal with his England squad... and the WAGs
Fabio Capello was as uncompromising as ever last night, telling the players' wives and girlfriends he will not allow them to distract his team and warning that he will be brutal in selecting the best squad to win the World Cup.
On a day when the FA confirmed there would be no repeat of the WAGS debacle in Baden-Baden, and no organised FA trip for families to next summer's tournament.
Capello's reaction bordered on disgust when reminded of the scenes in 2006.
Tough guy: Capello wants no repeat of the scenes in Baden-Baden
The England manager tutted at the thought of players leaving the team hotel to visit loved ones on an almost daily basis, and the photographs of WAGs dancing in public on restaurant tables.
Under the spotlight: Capello won't permit the likes of Cheryl Cole, Coleen Rooney and Victoria Beckham to grab the headlines
He said: 'We are in South Africa to play. Not for a holiday.
'I hope this period at the World Cup will be very long but the
players will have one day with their family, with the girls and
friends. It will be one day a week, after each game, and that is
enough. If they do not want to come for the day, then they should stay
home.'
No repeat guaranteed: Carly Zucker, Alex Curran, Michaela Henderson-Thynne and Lisa Roughead hit the town in Baden-Baden
The morning after his side qualified with a stunning 5-1 victory over Croatia, Capello already had his mind on the
tournament. He hinted that it would not be his style to contact players
who fail to make his 23-man squad and also suggested he would not be
taking players whose fitness is an issue.
That could be a concern for Ledley King and Owen Hargreaves, who have serious knee conditions.
'I spoke with the Manchester United doctor and he told me Hargreaves will be back in two months,' said Capello.
'But then he has to play. The problem with King is he has to spend four days with the physio after training.
'We have to choose the best players and the fittest players. They need to be fit, really fit. In the past England have taken injured players.'
Fitness battle: King goes head to head with fellow World Cup hoepful Carlton Cole
Almost certain to make the plane is David Beckham. Capello values
his experience and influence as well as the threat he can pose as an
impact substitute.'David is always with us because for me he is an important player,' said Capello.
England should avoid the other major powers in the group stage, with FIFA sources yesterday saying Capello's side are certain to be among the top seeds.
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