Everton defender Johnny Heitinga has no regrets leaving Atletico Madrid last year.

The Dutchman is happy with his choice.

Heitinga told the Guardian: "With the strikers Atlético have - Diego Forlán, Sergio Agüero and, in the past, Maxi Rodríguez and Simão - they are expected to score the goals and everyone else is expected to defend. Here everybody works together. In the last few games you will notice that the defending starts from the front with Louis Saha and Tim Cahill. They play so well for the defenders that it is easier for us defenders to defend against the team we are playing against.

"It is always long balls in the ­Premier League and with a player like Felli ­[Marouane Fellaini] in front of you he can head and kick all the balls away. It's good for the team. In Spain it is more about ­playing football from the back, there is more ­football, while here it is a ­combination of playing football and a lot of passion, fighting. I prefer it in England."