Capello Index could makeFabio a hostage to fortune
England boss unveils player ranking system on eve of World Cup squad announcement
England manager Fabio Capello could have scored a rare own goal and handed his critics the perfect weapon should his side under-perform in South Africa - by launching a player rating index on the eve of the announcement of his provisional World Cup squad. His venture, called the Capello Index, will be used to analyse players' performances during the World Cup and in the Premier League next season, and the verdict on each player will be made public within two hours of the game ending.
The software was trialled in April and tracked the performances of half-a-dozen Premier League teams, as well as some in Spain and Italy. It was officially launched on Monday.
The first statistics could make uncomfortable reading for Capello on the day he names a provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup. According to last month's tests the best English central defenders are Ledley King, Michael Dawson and Sol Campbell, who all scored more highly than John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. No more than one of the three is expected to get an England call.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The ageing Gary Neville and the retired Paul Scholes both feature among the top seven English players in the league. Joe Cole, who only has an outside chance of making it to South Africa also ranked highly.
On the plus side, the likes of Theo Walcott, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard performed well.
Capello defended the venture saying: "It's not only about money, my interest is in football." He also claimed it would be "good for the fans". But it will also give the media and his critics plenty of ammunition should any of his World Cup selections fail to pay off.
Amid the hysteria that engulfs the country during international tournaments, the index could be used as a stick to beat the Italian and may even make him a hostage to fortune.
Capello set up the project with business partner Chicco Merighi, the founder of online gambling company Goalventures, and his choice of backer does not appear to have gone down well with Capello's employers - the Football Association. It has been reported that the FA is to review the England manager's involvement in the venture.
EDITOR'S NOTE: After this article was published Fabio Capello announced that he would delay the launch of the Capello Index until after the World Cup.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Sturgeon slams Rangers fans over title celebrations
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Keely Hodgkinson and Bryson DeChambeau
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Klopp’s unwanted record as Liverpool lose again at Anfield
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Tiger Woods and Tom Brady
By Mike Starling Published