Cudicini For England?

Cudicini only has to wait until July 2004 before he can take up the chance of English citizenship. If he doesn't play a competitive game for Italy before then, that will make him eligible for the English national side. He could then take on the role of nmber one, assuming he continus his current amazing form.

Ranieri took it upon himself to offer some words of advice for Cudicini, saying "If I was Carlo, I'd choose England. Italy have two great goalkeepers in Toldo and Buffon, and it is difficult to fight with them when you play in another country."

He added: "I read Carlo in an Italian paper saying 'I want to play for the under-21s so maybe it is not possible (for England)'. Now I don't know the rules very well, but if he can play, he can play.

"I'm proud that English people like Carlo. A lot of people in Italy think the English don't appreciate Italian players - but that's not true."

The people in Italy should come visit us- they'll see how much we adore Franco Zola, Carlo Cudicini and Robbie Di Matteo!