England must be role models insists Capello

Capello has spent virtually all the build-up to tonight's friendly with Egypt fending off questions about John Terry, Wayne Bridge and the general behaviour of his players.

Quite clearly, the Italian is more at ease discussing tactics, formations and the intricacies of opponents drafted in as a warm-up to a vital Group C encounter with Algeria in Cape Town on June 18.

However, having withdrawn the captain's armband from Terry for his alleged dalliance with the former girlfriend of Bridge, who has been so let down by his one-time friend that he feels he can no longer share a dressing room or shake hands, Capello knew what was coming.

And he feels a lack of self-restraint is a problem in every country where talented young footballers find themselves awash with cash.

"Players have to be an example to the children," said Capello.

"For that reason, they have to stay careful at all times and sacrifice something in their lives.

"They are young players, young boys, who are rich boys. This is the problem.

"It is not only here. In Italy, in Germany, in Spain, in every country where football is so important it is the same problem."

Nevertheless, Capello has tried to instil his own moral code during England's training camp this week. It goes against a tradition that dates back beyond Chelsea's old King's Road days, let alone the current one. Yet Capello does not see why it has to be that way.

"Why?" he questioned, when asked whether it was normal for players to "raise hell" a bit.

"We hope not. I remember in Spain sometimes, one player went to the disco to drink something, but did not have big problems between different players, different girls or different women.

"I have asked the players not to take chances. It is a normal life for a sportsman.

"I only want to speak about things that happen on the pitch. I want to speak about the style of our game. I want to speak about what happens during a game.

"For some players, their private life is a big problem. Also for the clubs and, at the end, for me. But I hope they understand it is really important, in this last period, they are careful in their lives. I think the next three months will be okay for all the players."

Capello simply cannot understand why any professional would not share his straightforward view of the world.

The pragmatic nature of the former Real Madrid coach's personality makes it easy for him to separate his own feelings about Terry's alleged conduct, which remain unknown, and his certainty the Chelsea captain is going to be an influential member of his squad in South Africa this summer.

So, he has been stressing the positive, if not in private – he refused to reveal whether he was singling Terry out for a chat – then in public, insisting the defender was in good form, when the consensus has been to the contrary. Capello is also keen to ensure the notorious Wembley boo-boys do not target Terry tonight, as they have done Gary Neville, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole in the recent past.

"I hope (tonight) the fans help the team," he said. "They understand the private life of some players has not been so good and I know they are worried after what has happened.

"But we are dressed in the England shirt and it's important for us that they help us every moment, so I hope they don't boo John Terry.

"He is a part of the team and an important player for us.

"Both (tonight) and afterwards, the fans have to think we win important games together."

Having stressed the importance of self-control, Capello has been delighted with the response during two days of training, in which Wayne Rooney has been limited to half an hour.

Bridge's Manchester City team-mates Gareth Barry and Shaun Wright-Phillips hope to be involved tonight while a number of Chelsea players were happy to talk with their former team-mate at Stamford Bridge at the weekend.

Capello is sure in his own mind there are no splits within the camp.

"I spoke with the players and told them we have to recreate the spirit of the group," he said.

"After four months this training was really important for us. Now I'm really happy because I saw the same thing that I remembered from November.

"There have been problems. But I am happy these problems are now, not in May."