Former Manchester City midfielder Stevan Jovetic has insisted playing in Italy is more difficult than playing in the Premier League.
Now with Inter Milan, the Montenegro international spent two disappointing seasons at the Etihad after making a big-money move from Fiorentina in the summer of 2013.
Since his return to Italy, he has played a starring role in Inter's surprising rise to the top of the Serie A table. Speaking to Undici on Wednesday, the Nerazzurri No. 10 talked about his transition between leagues.
"Fiorentina in 2008? I knew I was going to a great team and I made a good decision," Jovetic said on Wednesday. "I arrived in a beautiful city, with fans who welcomed me straight away. "It wasn't easy to move from the Serbian league to the Italian one, the standard is higher.
"I struggled the first year despite playing 25 games, it got better in the second with five goals in the Champions League."
Asked about his time at Manchester City, the 26-year-old Jovetic, who is currently on loan at the San Siro, responded: "City? I like the Premier League, it's easier to play there than in Italy, where there is little space.
"I had a normal relationship with Pellegrini, we never argued. It was just that I deserved to play more, I thought that then and I think that today too.
"When I was fit they didn't play me, when I scored I went off after a maximum of 60 minutes and it's difficult to do more like this."
In addition, the Inter playmaker expressed his conviction that the Nerazzurri are one of the 10 best teams in the world, and has promised to continue do his part in helping them remain strong.
With Jovetic starring, the Milan club pounded Udinese 4-0 at the weekend. Confident from the performance, the former Viola standout believes the club are currently among the best the sport has to offer.
"Inter are one of the 10 best teams in the world. I always want to do more and to score more," Jovetic said. "I regret having stopped scoring after the first two games, but I got an assist against Palermo and Roma and we're first in the standings.
"I'm trying to do my best and when I do I'm sure everyone is happy. I've started well but I don't have anything to prove to anyone."