For those starting to wonder if Fabio Capello's loyalty to the flag of St George might be tested by Inter Milan's millions, there came comforting signs yesterday.
From England's retreat in the Austrian mountains, Capello spoke with a rare depth of feeling about the players under his control and his passion for the job.
Speaking in his native tongue, in an interview for an Italian television channel, he was able to portray some of the emotion which is so often absent when he uses his limited English.
Capello explained how God Save the Queen gives him 'goosebumps' before a match and how he adores the work ethic and training ground commitment of the English players.
Also, how this is not a one-man team over-reliant on the talents of Wayne Rooney but one with a broad range of talents capable of winning the World Cup.
And he confirmed the good news, first revealed by Sportsmail on Wednesday, that Gareth Barry is making such rapid progress from an ankle injury that he has a good chance to making the squad for South Africa.
'The tests and scans of two days ago say that his ankle is doing well, much better than we had thought,' said Capello. 'Most importantly, it looks as if the recovery times will be much shorter.
'We will wait until the end of the week and then we will decide if Barry will or won't play in the World Cup but we are very hopeful.'
The Italian also insisted he was perfectly happy with Rooney's condition, despite just one goal in seven England games for the Manchester United striker, who has suffered problems with his ankle and groin and complained of a stiff neck during Monday night's Wembley win against Mexico.
'Rooney has not scored lately but all he does in training gives me the maximum comfort, because he has recovered 100 per cent,' said Capello.
'He has all the qualities of a top goalscorer and I have always told him to play more central. Before, he always helped all his team-mates, running right and left and everywhere, and in so doing he was spending a lot of energy. Now that he keeps more in front of goal he's fresher and sharper, so he scores more.
'But I do not believe that one player can make the difference, even if he's as important as Rooney, someone who gets everyone behind him.
'It is the team which wins, particularly in a World Cup. The most important thing is the group, the spirit of togetherness.
'My England players have a different spirit, they train very well and eagerly, really determined.
'They are far less capricious on the pitch than others. It's great to work with them. Besides, they are very good technically, they know how to stay on the pitch.
'I am satisfied with the work we've done so far. We are retrieving all the work done during the qualifying matches. We have not been together for seven months, apart from a couple of days. Our aim is to retrieve and recover all that I had asked from the players over two years.'
Asked to name England's main rivals in South Africa, Capello went with the favourites, Spain and Brazil, but admitted he would be keeping an eye on a few others, notably Argentina and Italy.
'Brazil are the most compact and solid team,' said Capello. 'Their style is very little Brazilian and very much European. Spain are the European champions and a team that can play really well. They have been together for ages and they have not lost for ages. They are a real danger. I am wary of Argentina, probably the team with the most talented players. As for the other Europeans, do not forget Italy are the world champions.
'Nobody seems to take Germany into account but they have played the most finals and always finish in the top four. Another team you should consider is Holland, with some very good players, and I've always said that there could be an African surprise.'
Capello has been asked before how he would feel if England were to meet Italy, coached by his friend Marcello Lippi, in South Africa.
'My shirt will be an England shirt,' he said. 'I would not swap my position with Lippi. I prefer to be England manager.'
Inter would like to tempt Capello back to Italy next season on a £9million-a-year salary.
The FA are confident of keeping their man until his contract ends in 2012 but, nevertheless, they will have been delighted to hear his response to a question yesterday about the national anthem.
'I know the words but I do not feel it is correct for me to sing an anthem which is not part of my country,' said Capello.
'But I always feel very strong emotions when God Save the Queen is being sung or played. It always gives me the goosebumps. It is a very fine anthem, which makes you feel committed 100 per cent.'
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