EMANUELE Giaccherini knows all about swapping Serie A for the Premier League and the midfielder believes Sunderland's newest import Ricky Alvarez will have no problems adjusting to life at Sunderland following his move from Inter Milan.

Alvarez arrived on a season-long loan deal from the San Siro on the last day of the transfer window and made his debut in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham at the Stadium of Light.

The 26-year-old attacker showed glimpses of why Black Cats boss Gus Poyet was so keen to sign him, but having spent the last three seasons in the Italian top flight, it is bound to take the Argentinian time to adjust.

Poyet wasn’t put off by Ignacio Scocco’s failure to settle on Wearside when pursuing Alvarez, and Giaccherini also believes the former Boca Juniors won’t have any trouble adapting.

Just over 12 months ago, the Italian made the same move when he signed from Juventus, but despite suffering a difficult first season, Giaccherini is confident it won’t take long for his team-mate to shine.

“Ricky is a very good player,” the Italian said.

“For us, it’s important to have him. We need players like him because the Premier League is a difficult league.

“The team is helping him, and the other players who have come in this summer, because we are a group and we work together.

“Ricky will get better in time.

“Obviously, for him Saturday was a tough first game. It’s not easy, with languages, the fans, the stadium. It’s new football to him.

“But for me, it won’t be a problem for Ricky.”

Despite arriving in a deal worth £8.6m, Giaccherini failed to nail down a regular place in his first season at the Stadium of Light with most of his 32 appearances coming from the bench.

Poyet believes the Italian can have a bigger impact this season, and the attacking midfielder feels his experiences last season have made him stronger this time round.

He said: “I came through pre-season very well.

“Unfortunately, in the last game before the start of the season I got injured. But now I’ve come back and I feel very well, and I hope to play 90 minutes in the next game.

“This is another season. Last season was my first time in England. Maybe I needed one year to get experience, and I think this season will be better for me.”

Sunderland are yet to win a Premier League game this season, but that fact has perhaps been masked by the draws against Manchester United and Spurs.

Having been part of the squad that narrowly avoided relegation to the Championship last season, Giaccherini doesn’t want to be involved in another dogfight.

His lack of action last season was a contributing factor in his omission from Italy’s World Cup squad, but the 29-year-old believes the squad is better equipped to do well.

“The players who have come in for this season are very good players. Ricky Alvarez, Jordi Gomez and all of the others,'' he said. “This team, for me, this year can do better than last year.

“Last year we suffered, and we saved ourselves with the last two games left. I hope it’s easier this year.

“We need to not be in a relegation fight.”

Defender John O’Shea marked his 100th appearance for the Black Cats on Saturday after joining from Manchester United in 2011.

The Republic of Ireland international took over the captain’s armband last summer and the 33-year-old has reflected on his time at the Stadium of Light.

“There have been plenty of ups and downs along the way,” O’Shea said.

“The highlights are of course getting to the League Cup final, beating the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and putting up such a good performance against Manchester City for so long in the final.

“There are also the games against Newcastle where we have been comfortable winners, they are all memorable moments.”