Seedorf: We lag behind English
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AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf thinks the Italian game is still some way from being able to compete with England's Premier League.
A miserable week for Serie A clubs has seen Inter Milan, Juventus and Roma all dumped out of the UEFA Champions League by English opposition.
While Italy no longer has an interest in Europe's premier club competition, England is once again well represented as Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have all made it into the last eight.
Seedorf accepts that the money available to the Premier League's best sides dwarfs that of other leagues across Europe, with the odd exception of individual clubs, but he feels it is not the only factor behind their current success.
The veteran Dutch schemer believes clear-thinking business plans have been executed to perfection and feels Italian clubs should be looking to follow suit.
"Finance of course can make a difference but I also think we have to be criticising ourselves," he told Sky Sports News.
"At the end, I also think it is about management and building the right projects so you can be competitive. I think in Italy that is what is lacking.
"I think the English teams have sufficient team structures.
"They've been buying the right players and even from a younger age they are now popping up.
"For example, if you look at Cristiano Ronaldo he was in Manchester when he was 17 or 18 and now he's one of the best players in the world. He makes the difference to their squad.
"It's not all about money, but of course it's important."