Los Angeles FC defender Giorgio Chiellini compared the level of football in the Premier League and Italian Serie A using the example of former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacchi.
Giorgio Chiellini, Geety Images"Playing in England is very difficult for everyone because you have to be physically 100 per cent ready. The Premier League is much better than any other league in the world. Very few players can adapt there in a short time. I understand this approach that you can't wait because you need to win. If you have another player who is better prepared at the moment, he should play.
I don't think this is an issue in the culture of football. It would be the same if Scamacca went to Juventus, Inter or Milan, he would need time. Maybe it's easier in Italy because he knows the league, but West Ham is on the same level as the best team in Serie A. Look at Smalling, Tomori or Loftus-Cheek. Physically, they are three times stronger than most players in the Italian championship.
I was never close to moving to England. I think that at the peak of my career it would have been the perfect league for me. However, you can't go there to finish playing. It's very difficult. It's a very physically demanding league and you have to be at the top of your game. I don't know how Thiago Silva is still playing there," The Athletic quoted the 39-year-old as saying.
