RUUD GULLIT last night stepped back from comments attrihutcd to him in an Italian paper which criticised the standard in the Premier League and insisted: "I'm enjoying the game in England - and I admire it."

Chelsea's 33 year old Dutch star gave an interview to the Italian daily sports publication Corriere Dello Sport in which he picked out Newcastle's Les Ferdinand, Liverpool's Robbie Fowler and Manchester United's Ryan Giggs as three players who could make an impact in Serie A where Gullit played for AC Milan and Sampdoria.

But contrary to interpretation in some of yesterday's papers in England. Gullit claimed he did not mean that these were the only Premiership players' he believed could be successful in Italy.

Gullit's British agent Jon Smith said: "Ruud wants to put the record straight with regard to the content of the article, its origination and the context with which it was related."

Gullit, currently battling to beat a back injury to play in Chelsea's FA Cup clash with Newcastle on Sunday, said: "I actually made a point of stating that despite the pace and physical aspect in England, I have been surprised at the number of quality players that exist here. I picked out three I particularly admire and also made the point that other players from Italy would be able to make a name for themselves in England."