Southampton boss Ronald Koeman insists Cristiano Ronaldo would not get 50 goals in the Premier League.
The Real Madrid star has notched 42 La Liga goals this season and scored his 54th goal of the campaign in his club’s 2-1 Champions League semi-final first-leg loss to Juventus on Tuesday.
However, the Dutchman, who is no stranger to Spain having played six years for Barcelona and later coached Valencia, believes the Portuguese would not be able to amass that figure if he was still playing in England.
“Everyone knows that the Dutch League is at a lower level but even in Spain that level of competition just isn’t there,” the 52-year-old told FIFA.com.
“For example, I don’t think Ronaldo, even though he is clearly a great player, would be getting 40, 50 goals a season if he was still playing in England.”
Koeman has had a successful season at St Mary’s, guiding the south coast club into contention for a European place, and says he is enjoying life since his appointment last summer.
“There is a framework here – the academy is fantastic and the facilities are amazing – and Southampton is a good club with a long-term strategy.
“I enjoy being part of it and as a Coach I find it exciting. My feeling was that this was my kind of club,” he admitted.
