Anyone can play soccer as long as they know the rules, but being a good player is another thing.
Anyone can play soccer if they understand the rules, but being a good or bad soccer player is another story.
この場合は次のように表現すると良いと思います。
ーAnyone can play soccer as long as they know the rules, but being a good player is another thing.
「ルールを知ってさえすれば、誰でもサッカーはできるが、うまいかはさておきだ」
being a good player is another thing「うまい選手かは別のこと」を使って表現できます。
ーAnyone can play soccer if they understand the rules, but being a good or bad soccer player is another story.
「ルールがわかれば誰でもサッカーはできるが、うまい選手か下手な選手かはさておきだ」being a good or bad soccer player is another story「うまい選手か下手な選手かは別の話」を使っても表現できます。
ご参考まで！
カナダ 
