Inter Milan midfielder Curtis Jones insists Serie A is no different to the Premier League when it comes to playing for the top clubs.
The 25-year-old joined the league champions from Liverpool in the summer and has adapted well to Italian football.
But he rejected suggestions Serie A is easier than its English counterpart.
“From the outside, everyone thinks that Serie A is a slower league and that the level is not that high. I only partially agree,” Jones told DAZN.
“The games are slower because of the way opponents face us. At Liverpool, it was exactly the same.
“Being one of the strongest teams in the league, opponents rarely came to press us, but they made everything more difficult with a low block.
“If you are the strongest team, with the best players, this is what the opponents will do. In Italy as in England.”
Jones has quickly become a fan favourite, with a video recently circulating on social media of a coachload of supporters wearing masks depicting his face and singing his name.
The Scouser said he felt there was a similarity between Milan and his home city in that respect.
“When we played against Inter in the Champions League, I immediately noticed the connection between players and fans,” he added.
“I and Liverpool have always had this kind of special bond with the fans, our 12th man on the pitch.
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“I think for those who love Inter the same thing applies so it was an easy choice [to join].”
The league leaders suffered another injury blow ahead of the visit of struggling Fiorentina.
Scans on Friday revealed wing-back Luis Henrique, who was a late substitute in the midweek Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk, had sustained an adductor strain.
The Brazilian is likely to be out until after next month’s international break.
