Dani Osvaldo 'never adapted to Premier League'

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 07 February 2014

Dani Osvaldo admits that he never adapted to the physicality of the Premier League and is delighted to have left Southampton to return to Serie A with Juventus.

Dani Osvaldo has admitted that he never adapted to the physicality of the Premier League and is delighted to have joined Juventus from Southampton.

The Italian international striker was the Saints' club-record buy in the summer when he signed from Roma for £15m.

However, he managed only three goals and had several disciplinary issues during his time at St Mary's Stadium, and left to return to Serie A with Juventus on an initial loan deal in the January transfer window.

The Old Lady have the option to buy Osvaldo on a permanent deal at the end of the season, and the 28-year-old has hinted that would be his preference by hailing the club and its manager Antonio Conte.

"I struggled in England and wasn't really able to adapt," Osvaldo told JTV. "It's a very physical type of game, with really tough tackling. More attention is paid to tactics and technique in Italy and Spain and I find it suits me a lot better.

"I struggled a bit here in the first few training sessions, also because there's a lot of running involved with the coach (Antonio Conte), but it's just a question of getting used to things. Conte's a phenomenon. He's extremely prepared and demands a great deal, but the results are there for all to see.

"Everything's magnificent here, from the training ground in Vinovo to the club itself. You immediately realise you've joined the biggest Italian club and one of the finest in Europe. It's a dream to be at Juventus and I want the dream to continue. And then there's the World Cup, a competition I'm determined to be involved in."

Osvaldo was handed a two-week club suspension by Southampton officials for his involvement in a training ground bust-up with Jose Fonte which left the centre-back with a black eye.