Inter Milan vice-president Javier Zanetti has revealed he would not have chosen to sign Mario Balotelli if he was in charge of local rivals AC Milan, according to ​Corriere dello Sport.





Zanetti played with Balotelli during their time as Inter players, but​ doesn't believe the Italian striker is worthy of a place in Inter's squad. Milan signed him on loan from Liverpool in the summer - just a year after selling him to the Anfield club - and he has only managed two substitute appearances for them to date.





Asked his thoughts on Balotelli, he said: "If I was in (Milan's) position I would not have taken him."





Inter have made a perfect start to the new season, winning four games out of four, and he insists that he did not sign up to finish in second place: "Did I sign up for second place? No, I signed up to help Inter finish as high as possible.





"We can go back to being challengers (for Serie A), and we’ll compete with the others who hope to be in the Champions League. We are a solid team in Serie A, and this is essential. You can always improve. When you win it is easier to do so."





According to ​Sky Sport Italia , he added: “Returning to Europe is still the thing which most interests us. But if something more comes then we’ll be happy. We’ve started well, but the season is long and very difficult. We have the opportunity to get to the end and still be title contenders.





“The table looks good, but there will be difficult times and we have to show we’re ready. This team is very different from the one Mourinho had, there are a lot of new players and those who understand what it means to wear this shirt.





“I really like Miranda, but also Murillo, Gary Medel in defence and Felipe Melo will do well for us."



