Mutu: Italian football can learn from England

Former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu reckons that Serie A can learn a lot from English football.

Mutu joined Juventus in January after being sacked by the London club for failing a drugs test - but he has not forgotten his love for the Premiership.

He said: "I was talking the other day with Patrick Vieira and we both agreed it is more difficult to play in the Premier League,

"English football has more continuity, you always play at a high rhythm, without a break, and you have to keep on moving because every team plays to win.

"When Serie A teams play against Juve, Milan and Internazionale they close themselves in defence and you have to try and break the wall.

"In England you play football even though you know that you may lose."

Mutu was also critical of the play-acting he believes has a detrimental effect on Italian football.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "In England players don't simulate,

"They don't just fall because your own club fans will be the first to tell you off.

"Simulation is ugly, it's not good for the game. Football is a sport for true men but then you have players who have great physical strength, like Francesco Totti and Alberto Gilardino, who go down in the first contact when they could remain on their feet.

"They are both great champions but perhaps it's the Italian mentality that makes you do these things."