The success was particularly sweet for Platt, who, at this time last year, was even considering returning to play in England after a disappointing season with Juventus.

Looking back on the '93-94 campaign, Platt said: ''I would say that last year I played consistently the best football of my career and that it was certainly the most enjoyable.

''This year has been very, very special to me, especially after last year when I was involved in a team (Juventus) that did not play me all the time and when they did they played me out of position.

''In a way it was a blessing in disguise when Sampdoria came in to buy me. I can categorically state that I would not have joined any other club in Italy; in fact I would have returned to England.'' Platt is halfway through a two-year contract with Sampdoria and believes his time overseas - he had a season with Bari before Juventus - was a significant factor in being chosen as England captain by the new coach, Terry Venables, in March.

''I think it's a benefit playing abroad - and I'm sure it helped me get the England captaincy,'' Platt said.

''In international football you have to do things differently and be tactically fit because there are no minnows anymore.

''The Italian League is the best in the world and the Italian game is played in a more tactical sense, where you have to wait and be more patient and attack in numbers and defend in numbers.

''Terry Venables is trying to do this with the England team and said to me that he needed someone on the pitch who could change things if and when needed.'' When asked if he would like to see more England players move abroad, Platt replied: ''Everyone should make up their own mind but if anyone asked my advice about moving to Italy I would say 'Yes' because you cannot get away from the fact that you get more experience and become a better player - and everyone should be looking to better themselves.'' Although most of Sampdoria's top players are in Hong Kong - Platt, Mancini, Lombardo and central defender Pietro Vierchowod - the notable absentee is Gullit, who is rejoining champions AC Milan after one season with Sampdoria.

Club president Enrico Mantovani said they had not decided on a replacement for Gullit next season.

''We have had great players such as Gullit and Vialli leave the team but still the club seems to find new strength to compete on a high level.

''For us to be in the top three in the league and win the Italian Cup makes us proud and happy - and it is an honour to bring this happiness to Hong Kong,'' Dr Mantovani added.

After completing the league season, Sampdoria had a break in Bali before winning an exhibition match 3-2 in Jakarta on Sunday with goals from 17-year-old Indonesian trialist Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto, Lombardo and Platt.

Their Swedish coach, Sven Goran Eriksson, will conduct a training session at the So Kon Po military sports grounds this morning before naming his side for tomorrow night's game.