England manager Fabio Capello does not want any of his players, including Steven Gerrard, engaging in transfer discussions in the lead-up to and during the World Cup. The Italian tactician has taken the measures to ban agents and business advisors from the Three Lions training camp in South Africa in the hope that all squad members are entirely focused on the job at hand in the sport's biggest and most prestigious tournament.
"Players negotiating transfers is one of the problems I do not want to have to face," Capello said.
"I hope the players who are with us in South Africa do not change the team or have negotiations. It disturbs the players all the time.
"You have to stay focused on the game and the competition."
Key players including Steven Gerrard, James Milner, Joe Cole, Matthew Upson, Michael Carrick, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Emile Heskey have all been linked with departures from their current clubs and Capello wants to ensure that they are not distracted whilst on international duty.