Cudicini would consider England
CARLO CUDICINI would consider playing for England, his agent Federico Pastorello has confirmed to planetfootball.com.
The Chelsea custodian is regarded by many as The Premiership's number one goalkeeper and this has led to him earning international recognition, as he broke into the Azzurri squad earlier this season.
However, Cudicini realises that with the likes of Gianluigi Buffon and Francesco Toldo in front of him, it will be very hard to have any sort of run in the Italian goal.
The Blues ace was called up in November for Italy's clash with Turkey, due to the fact Milan's Christian Abbiati is struggling to get his game ahead of Brazilian Dida at Giuseppe Meazza.
However, Toldo and Buffon still remain in his way, and the Stamford Bridge number one could still consider a shock change of allegiance.
Even if Cudicini continues to be called up by Italy, if he does not play a competitive game (World Cup or European Championships) then he will still be eligible for England in the future.
Cudicini does not yet possess English citizenship as he has only been resident here for three-and-a-half years, but in another 18 months he will qualify for Sven Goran Eriksson's squad and could in theory make the World Cup finals in 2006.
"I know that for Carlo England is his second country," Pastorello explained to planetfootball.
"It is clear that he was born in Italy, but he is very strongly linked with England.
"If there was this opportunity to play for England he would act in a very positive manner.
"His country is Italy and Giovanni Trapattoni - the national coach - called him up last time and we will have to see what happens with the European Championships.
"But if nothing happens with the Italian national team and the opportunity arises, I think he will be very serious about it.
"The goalkeeping talent in Italy is very high, their school of goalkeepers is good and it is hard to get in and it would be easier for Carlo to play for England rather than Italy.
"There are good goalkeepers in England also, but if in one-and-a-half years there is the chance, I think Carlo will think seriously about this prospect."
