Chelsea defender, Thiago Silva, has admitted that the long-ball football style in the Premier League discouraged him from moving to England earlier.
The Brazilian centre-back, who turned 36 on Tuesday, joined the Blues on a free transfer this summer after eight years at Paris Saint-Germain.
Silva is in line to make his debut against Barnsley in a Carabao Cup third round clash on Wednesday.
He has enjoyed a glittering career which includes seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles following a three-year spell with AC Milan, where he also won Serie A.
Silva has also amassed 88 international caps for Brazil.
When asked whether he had ever come close to playing in the Premier League before this season, Silva replied: "I've never really seen myself in the Premier League previously.
"That was because I saw it as a difficult style of football, personally. I didn't have any desire to play in the Premier League.
"My impression of the football playing was that one with long ball, high balls and long shots. At the time, I couldn't really see myself playing in that championship. But over time, the championship has developed tremendously. There is a lot more technical quality."
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