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Paolo Di Canio practiced cockney rhyming slang naked in West Ham changing room

West Ham United favourite Paolo Di Canio ended up learning English from Neil 'Razor' Ruddock after he ended up practicing cockney rhyming slang naked in the Irons changing rooms

[Paolo Di Canio]

Paolo Di Canio in action for West Ham in 2001(Image: Getty Images)

West Ham hero Paolo Di Canio was taught some of his English from Neil Razor Ruddocks lessons in rhyming slang.

But the Italians attempt at the local lingo sounded more like actor Dick Van Dykes chimney sweep Bert in Mary Poppins, a retired West Ham worker has revealed.

Ex-ground staff Bill Ellis said: Id gone to the changing room after they finished training and Paolo was standing naked except for socks in the shower. He was practising some of what he had learnt... it was very funny."

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In his book Claret And True, Bill said he warned the striker not to upset refs with his colourful language. He added: "They might not have taken too kindly to some of his newly learnt phrases."

Clearly Ruddock had a soft spot in his heart to try and help Di Canio out, who arrived at West Ham back in 1999 from Sheffield Wednesday after Harry Redknapp signed him.

What do you make of Paolo Di Canio's efforts to learn English in the West Ham changing room? Let us know in the comments section below.

[Neil Ruddock celebrates scoring with teammates Ian Wright (L), Paolo di Canio (2R) and Trevor Sinclair (R)]

Neil Ruddock celebrates scoring with teammates Ian Wright (L), Paolo di Canio (2R) and Trevor Sinclair (R)(Image: Sunday Mirror)

[Neil Ruddock and Paolo Di Canio]

Ruddock helped Di Canio learn English(Image: PA)

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Speaking to Paddy Power back in 2020, Ruddock, who spent two seasons with West Ham towards the end of his career, called the Italian: "A tremendous player."

Ruddock said: "We had some good players Stuart Pearce, Shaka Hislop in goal, Ian Pearce and Rio Ferdinand at the back, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick coming through, and the likes of Defoe, Ian Wright, John Hartson, Fredi Kanout, Paulo Wanchope and Eyal Berkovic.

"And there was Paolo Di Canio - he was a tremendous player. He was so good, we had to tell him to stop tracking back. Hed be so competitive hed keep running around and his legs would be gone after an hour, which was no help to us."

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[Paolo Di Canio]

Di Canio joined West Ham in 1999(Image: ExpressStar)

He added: "In the end, we just said you stay up front, the rest of us will run our b***ocks off, and you can keep scoring winners. And thats what he did.

"He used to train like mad too. Wed go down the pub or down the bookies and hed be training with the youth team in the afternoons.

"You wouldnt really take the piss out of him though for it. If any other player had done it when you ask were they coming down the pub? youd have thought f*** off you k***head, and get the hump. But Paolo was that good you didnt mind."

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