“I think I’ve changed a lot in England, especially in terms of character,” he told Corriere della Sera.
“I take things more head-on, while in Italy I was more ‘coddled’ in my comfort zone. Going abroad has made me stronger.
“Do I regret leaving Inter? Never. Of course I miss Cassino, where I grew up, and Turin, where I spent my teenage years.
“If I am what I am, it’s thanks to these two experiences, but I don’t miss the excessive controversy.
“Premier League different to Serie A? Totally. In Italy, you defend as part of a unit, while in England, you do so much more individually.
“There’s also more technical and physical quality here in England. Of course, the risk of making individual mistakes is greater, but there’s also the possibility to grow: many of the best strikers in the world play here.
“National team? To tell you the truth, I don’t know if my absence for the past year is political or technical.
“Before thinking about the national team, the FIGC needs reform. That aside, it’s become a habit for me not to be considered, a bit like Balotelli.
“I go by the Coach’s decisions. Mario and I started the Azzurri path together, but I think I’m still part of the national team, even if I’m not being called up.