Cudicini Could Play For Wales
By Martin Williams July 11 2004
Chelsea's Italian goalkeeper, Carlo Cudicini could qualify to play for Wales in their crunch World Cup 2006 qualifying games against England and Northern Ireland.
By Martin Williams July 11 2004
Chelsea's Italian goalkeeper, Carlo Cudicini could qualify to play for Wales in their crunch World Cup 2006 qualifying games against England and Northern Ireland.
Cudicini will qualify for all of the home nations next month because he will have lived in Britain for five years.
But should he choose to play for Wales, the Italian born shot-stopper would be able to line up against his English Chelsea teamates Wayne Bridge, John Terry and Frank Lampard on the international stage.
At 30 years old Cudicini has surprisingly never played for Italy and FAW General Secretary David Collins told BBC Wales Sport that they would consider asking the Italian to join up with the squad.
"I'm sure Mark and his squad would consider it if the situation did arise."
Wales have recently taken English under 21 international Ben Thatcher into their squad after it was revealed he had Welsh grandparents so the chances of them asking Cudicini to join the squad remain good.
The Chelsea keeper has said that he does not expect to play for England because of the choices that they already have in their set up.
"I don't think England need a goalkeeper," said Cudicini
"They've got David James and two young goalkeepers coming up in [Paul] Robinson and [Chris] Kirkland. So I don't think Eriksson will be interested in me."
Wales' current first choice goalkeeper, Paul Jones, now 37, has played well for Wales in the past but at his age his best years are almost certainly behind him. 2004/05 will also be the Wolves keeper's first season outside the Premier league since 1997.
Other Welsh goalkeepers Martyn Margetson, Danny Coyne and Darren Ward also play their football in League One so Cudicini would almost certainly walk straight into Mark Hughes' plans.
But should he choose to play for Wales, the Italian born shot-stopper would be able to line up against his English Chelsea teamates Wayne Bridge, John Terry and Frank Lampard on the international stage.
At 30 years old Cudicini has surprisingly never played for Italy and FAW General Secretary David Collins told BBC Wales Sport that they would consider asking the Italian to join up with the squad.
"I'm sure Mark and his squad would consider it if the situation did arise."
Wales have recently taken English under 21 international Ben Thatcher into their squad after it was revealed he had Welsh grandparents so the chances of them asking Cudicini to join the squad remain good.
The Chelsea keeper has said that he does not expect to play for England because of the choices that they already have in their set up.
"I don't think England need a goalkeeper," said Cudicini
"They've got David James and two young goalkeepers coming up in [Paul] Robinson and [Chris] Kirkland. So I don't think Eriksson will be interested in me."
Wales' current first choice goalkeeper, Paul Jones, now 37, has played well for Wales in the past but at his age his best years are almost certainly behind him. 2004/05 will also be the Wolves keeper's first season outside the Premier league since 1997.
Other Welsh goalkeepers Martyn Margetson, Danny Coyne and Darren Ward also play their football in League One so Cudicini would almost certainly walk straight into Mark Hughes' plans.
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