“The Premier League is such a tough competition and I have always admired this championship and the players who are here,” he is quoted as saying in the News Of The World.

“This is my third season and I’m still amazed to see (Steven) Gerrard, (Wayne) Rooney and (Frank) Lampard, players who have been here a long time, still playing at such a high level and with such impressive rhythm because the English league really wears down a player.

“I just can’t imagine what state I’ll be in within five or six years if I continue to play here – it could easily give me problems when I stop playing. The physical level is superior to all other countries.”