Marseille winger Florian Thauvin has spoken of his struggles at Newcastle United.

The 24-year-old has admitted that the Premier League was too physical and the move happened too soon in his career.

“The league is completely different. It's far more physical," Thauvin explained to uefa.com.

“There's a lot more contact. You need to be ready, you have to put on muscle before going to the Premier League.

“It was too early for me. It's a transfer that happened quickly. Normally, you take your time, you think about it, but for me it all happened too quickly after Marcelo Bielsa's departure.

“I was young, I was 22. At 22, you leave your country, you discover a new culture, a new language, a new league, the food isn't the same. It's complicated, but they're things that help you grow up."

Meanwhile, new Everton boss Sam Allardyce has taken a swipe at former club Newcastle

"I think financially and ambition-wise – probably yes," Allardyce replied when asked if the Goodison Park position was the type of role he'd been waiting his whole career for.

“Newcastle was going to be the most-ambitious club and best financially-backed I was going to manage, way back in 2007, but that didn't happen...

“When Freddy Shepherd went out and Mike Ashley came in, there wasn't as much money as I expected.

“This football club has spent pretty heavily this summer. I haven't stipulated or insisted on a budget, other than saying we would probably need some players in January."