Pistone: I must start winning things

The Italian defender has had a torrid time with injury in The Premiership, but aside from this says his experience of the English game has been a positive one, and that he enjoys the atmosphere from the crowds.

Speaking exclusively to planetfootball.com, Pistone was frank about his ambitions, and also his hopes that Everton can become competitive once more.

"I have a long contract - until 2005 - but, you know, when a player looks back on his career he wants to see trophies.

"Obviously I would like to win trophies and titles, be it here or somewhere else.

"My best season in the English game has to be the first one I spent with Newcastle United.

"I left The Magpies because I had been injured and needed to play regularly.

"I only had one year left on my contract and when the situation is like that you are risking not playing and therefore finding yourself in limbo.

"I couldn't risk this and [Everton boss] Walter Smith had always shown his faith in me.

"He had watched me when he was manager of Rangers, which made me certain that he trusted me."

Pistone is currently convalescing from another injury, but believes he is close to a playing return.

"I have been out since the Leeds game on December 19, but I hope to be back by the end of February," he told planetfootball - before going on to compare the English and Italian games.

"In England there is less pressure. In Italy if a team doesn't win for three games they change the coach. Here, if you are giving everything, then your performance is appreciated.

"The tactics are very much reduced in England. There are other types of training but there are so many games that there is no time for tactics!

"I think my time in England has been positive, because it is a wonderful experience to play here, but negative because of the amount of injuries I have had."

Suggestions that players at Chelsea are still focused heavily on Serie A rather than concentrating on The Premiership is only a localised example, according to Pistone.

"Chelsea is very different," he asserts. "There are so many Italians or players that have played in Italy.

"I live in Manchester, near the airport where a lot of United and City players live.

"I read that Manchester United's Juan Sebastian Veron doesn't like it, but I think he would be okay if he lived in London."

Pistone moved to England after becoming frustrated with life at Inter.

"I was young and the fans began to whistle me for lengthy periods.

"At the end of the season, my second with Inter, I decided the time was right to leave this behind.

"Newcastle were one of the big clubs in for me and they were in the Champions League so I said yes to them.

"I think I became disliked at Inter because the fans needed a scapegoat in a tricky period for the club, and Roberto Carlos was always going to remain the apple of their eyes."