Corini flattered by Boro link
EUGENIO CORINI has told planetfootball.com that a transfer to England would be "perfect" for him, following speculation linking the Chievo star with a move to Middlesbrough.
The talented midfielder, speaking after a training match against amateur side Lonigo, admitted being "flattered" by the interest reportedly being shown by Boro boss Steve McClaren, although his primary focus is on his current club in Verona.
"I am very flattered by Boro's interest," he admitted. "Because I have always liked The Premiership.
"I rate it as the best league in the world, its level is just as high as the Italian Serie A and Spanish Liga.
"I would really love to play abroad, and England would be perfect.
"I like their way of playing the game, and I would also love to experience the feeling with the fans.
"But, you know, sometimes players are the last to know when rumours are true, especially at this time of the year."
The 32-year-old Italian international has also been linked with a move to Palermo, if they manage to obtain promotion to the top flight.
"Now I feel I have to stay focused on the remainder of the season," he stated. "Because we have important matches in the next few weeks.
"This is a very crucial moment for us.
"Next summer, when my contract expires, I'll decide about my future."
Chievo, who are lying handily in fifth place in Serie A, saw their Champions League ambitions dealt a blow by a 4-0 hammering against Parma last Sunday.
"It was a very strange match," commented Corini. "Where everything went wrong for us, and good for them.
"We played really well for about 60 minutes, but couldn't manage to score.
"If we did equalise their first goal, the match would have been very different.
"I think my team-mates have already forgotten about it, and are very focused on our next match against Atalanta.
"It will be a very tough match because they are fighting to avoid relegation, but Parma play Lazio and we can't afford to waste this chance."
Corini is very proud of the three Italian teams who are flying the flag in this season's Champions League.
"Of course I am, because we were getting used to having no Italian team left at this stage of the competition," he revealed.
"We must also be proud of Lazio, who are doing very well in the Uefa Cup.
"I hope, in the future, Chievo will be with the European giants too. This year, we experienced international matches for the first time in our history, but Red Star Belgrade (Crvena Zvezda) sent us out in the first stage!
"We're really hungry to get a second chance."
