Ireland on Elano

There are plenty of stories being knocked out this week from Abu Dhabi - no doubt in attempt by journos to justify the expense of jetting them out for the best part of the week, and The Guardian carries one that, whilst not a new subject, is always interesting in how it lifts the lid on the disharmony during the 2008/09 season.

As ever it seems, it is Stephen Ireland doing the talking:

"He [Hughes] had it tough," Ireland recalls. "Some players didn't want to be there. Some players just didn't want to buy into it. Elano and Jô, they didn't want to put in the extra effort and it wasn't like it was that hard. It wasn't like you were being run like a dog, just that it was more professional and more based on team spirit, and these players didn't want to get into that stuff."

Elano was subsequently sold to Galatasaray. "Under Sven, Elano got away with anything," Ireland continues. "It was Elano's world, to be honest. The gaffer came in and there were massive changes, and Elano couldn't adjust. He's a great guy, a nice guy, I got on great with him, and he's a very talented player, but he could have added a lot more to his game and been a lot better than what he is."

"It was a shame because I am sure they [Elano and Jô] will look back and regret it. Even with Elano, he didn't play too often last year but when he did play, he did improve. He might not say that himself, but he added an awful lot to his game, which I think was down to the gaffer – but I don't think Elano would admit that or even realise it."

Whilst it was obviously a tough fight for Hughes during last season, it is a battle that he has won with key component Elano offloaded whilst Jo has been cast adrift, perhaps never to return. There were plenty of fans during last season which were firmly against Hughes over this issue, and us bloggers who sided with Hughes took plenty of heat at times.

Can anyone say though that the decisions Hughes in terms of the players brought in and moved out haven't been haven't been the correct one? The club undoubtedly now has a squad that is behind Hughes, bought into his idea and above all, is appears to be a unified force.

Well, with one perhaps still undecided.

Elano arrives in Turkey

Thanks to Total Manchester City for first posting the picture.

Not quite as manic as Darius Vassell's arrival, but Elano definitely looks far more concerned by the goings on around him.

Elano does sarcasm

From the sun.co.uk:

"I'm very, very sad to be leaving Manchester City. I loved the club and I loved England. I'm sad to leave all the friends I made and the fans. I wanted to stay but circumstances forced me out. I wasn't used properly by the manager.

"People within the club know what happened to me because I'd had very, very good times there.

"The manager has built a team the way he likes and, because of this, I expect him to win the Premier League this season."

Humour aside, there is an important made in Elano's comments; 'The manager has built a team the way he likes'. This is of course true and shows the control that Mark Hughes has in that he has been afforded the time and resources to build his team.

Looking at the squad now compared to the one he inherited, he has the players he wants. This of course brings added pressure in that he will now stand or fall on the decisions he has made.

Juding by his comments he has made in recent times, he does seem to be up for the fight though.

Elano : Why I had to leave

"I spoke with my national coach Dunga and he told me it will be difficult to enter me on his World Cup list if I am not playing football regularly," said Elano.

"I need time on the field. This season is very important. I dream of playing in the World Cup.

"I have received a few other offers, but this is the best one for me and City.

"I never had any problems with the coach, but Hughes may not have had total confidence in me."

>>Elano.

Fair points, and with a World Cup on the horizon it is understand how a player would want to be involved week in week out - something that appeared unlikel if he had remained with the club. I'm not sure how truthful it is to say that he had no problems with Mark Hughes though.

It would be interesting though to see what other offers were on the table. Is it likely there were any from a Premier League side?

As expected though, the move hasn't pleased Robinho, who has seen his Brazilian counterparts dwindle away:

"I am very sad to see Elano go because he was a team-mate and has been a friend for many years. "I understand the decision but I always believed that he would be part of this project. I never believed the rumours and I will miss our dinners and meetings.

"I wish and believe that Elano will be king at his new club.

"City have made some great signings and it has been made complicated for some players.

"But I have spoken many times with the coach and praised Elano but it was the decision of the club and impossible to change."

Elano departs

Manchester City can confirm that Elano has completed his transfer to Turkish side Galatasaray.

The Brazilian joined the Blues from Shakhtar Donetsk having been signed by Sven-Goran Eriksson just before the start of the 2007/08 season. He had an immediate impact with both goals and a string of influential performances.

Elano found the going a lot tougher as opponents increasingly targeted him as one of City's main threats, but despite more limited appearances under boss Mark Hughes he still scored 18 times in a total of 80 appearances for City.

He joined the famous Istanabul club last night and everyone at Manchester City would like to thank Elano for his services and wish him the very best of luck for the future with both his new club and with Brazil.

>>mcfc.co.uk

One that is sure to divide opinion.

There has been rumour around Elano's future for a little while, but the confirmation of the move (and to Galatasary) came a little out of nowhere and certainly speedier than some of the more protracted incoming moves.

In a lot of respects it is a shame that Elano has gone. Undoubtedly a wonderful talent, he leaves us with some fantastic memories of his abilities and it is another example (in a long line throughout history) of function and endeavour triumphing over style. Personally I think there would still be a role for him in the squad over the course of the season, but experience tells that he Elano is not the patient kind.

Let us not kid ourselves totally though. As sublime as Elano could be, over his two seasons there were large pockets of the season where he was unproductive and contributed little, even looking disinterested. Some would argue that this was mainly the return from the second half of the 2007/08 season onwards.

Logic does dictate that it is a sensible move therefore. Looking at our likely line-up, Elano would not feature in the strongest starting XI (and would anyone truthfully suggest otherwise?) given we are likely to have a three featuring Barry, Ireland and a holding player. Elano on the sidelines as we saw is not condusive to the 'team ethic' and no way did Mark Hughes want him around as a distraction if for the majority of time he would be kicking his heels.

As we are progressing towards the vision of where Hughes wants the squad to be (both in terms of success and the make-up of the team), there are going to be casualties along the way. It is disappointing when they are players such as Elano, capable of providing wonderful moments on a football pitch, but perhaps ultimately, nostalgia will make his loss appear greater than it is actually is.

Elano to move on?

The Manchester City career of Elano is hanging by a slender thread, with the Brazil international left out of the club's trip to South Africa and seemingly top of their clear-out list.

The Bundesliga side, Cologne, have approached City about taking the 28-year-old on loan and though he is understood not to be keen on the idea Elano may soon have to resign himself to a new challenge.

There has also been interest from La Liga, with Real Zaragoza among the clubs linked with him. Elano thrilled Eastlands with his early displays under Sven-Goran Eriksson in the 2007-08 season but has lacked the work ethic to impress his succcessor, Mark Hughes. His public insistence that he warrants an extension to his current contract, which expires in 2011, has not helped either.

>>independent.co.uk

It's no secret that Elano and Mark Hughes had a fractuous relationship during 2008/09, with Elano's winged being clipped followed an impressive first season in 2007/08 (and an excellent first half of that season in particular).

It was even reported in The Independent piece that he was left out of the South Africa touring party, but this is a little lazy journalism as even a quick google search shows he will arrive a week late (along with Robinho) after playing for Brazil following the end of the Premier League season.

Still, whilst Hughes doesn't have to move players to balance the books following his outlay this summer, a bloated squad in certain areas will be a hinderance, and looking at how we may well line-up this season, it could even be argued that Elano may not feature on the bench at full strength.

Should that be the case, he could well be a headache the club could do without, so I would expect Hughes to be receptive to the possibility of Elano moving on, and following the recent arrivals, we may now start to see players moving on

Elano hints at Inter talks

"There are ongoing negotiations and I hope the Inter directors will go right to the end," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I want to wear the Inter shirt."

>>MEN.

Despite his impressive finish to last season, you do wonder what future Elano has at the club, and given the arrival of Gareth Barry this could well limit his opportunities further.

There is no doubting his talent, but will he ever fully earn Mark Hughes's favour and can he again display the level of performance and consistency he showed over the first half of his debut season? Perhaps a move to Serie A, a league where the pace and intensity is slower than Premier League, could suit his talents more.

His comments don't overly suggest an imminent deal is in place, but it would not be a huge surprise if he was playing elsewhere next season.

Elano looking long term

"This is the end of my second season with City and if it were up to me I would be sat around a table discussing a contract extension right now," Elano told the official Manchester City magazine. "I would love to renew my contract at City and remain here for a long time. I love England and I enjoy living in Manchester. I am very happy here."

>>guardian.co.uk

There is no doubt that Elano's form of late has been excellent, and there does appear to have been a thawing of relations with Mark Hughes.

How much of Elano's positivity has been down to featuring regularly is not known though, and the reason for his opportunity of late is set to return this weekend.

Could be an interesting decision.

Divided?

Stephen Ireland is the only individual to have responded to the Welshman's new, disciplinarian culture, with neither Richard Dunne nor Micah Richards worthy of a place in any Premier League starting line-up on current form. Darius Vassell is another inherited player who, according to some noises emerging from the club, is disenchanted.

>>independent.co.uk

A consistent theme across the press today, and in reality, is mainly a re-hash of The Independent piece that appeared on Saturday. Perhaps (and this is my guess only) the press corps have decided to return to the 'squad divided' angle with the lack of a big scoop in terms of a Hughes sacking - and his position does appear to be as safe as it could do at present.

Rightly or wrongly, Hughes is determined to change the make-up of the squad from that inherited from Eriksson and there are players who will fall by the wayside. I don't however subscribe to the view that the factions or splits are deep or widespread as reported. With Elano and Jo they clearly exist though, but exactly who else is in this faction?

Looking at the squad I don't see many candidates.

It is interesting that the piece linked above mentions Dunne, Vassell and Richards as players who are 'against' Hughes, yet I don't necessarily see that. All have been virtual ever presents under Hughes, with Dunne also retaining the captaincy handed to him by Eriksson whereas it is patently obvious as to who the players falling foul of Hughes are.

Perhaps Hamman, and as a senior player his voice may carry some weight within the dressing room yet you would say that he is fast becoming expendable as we move forward. But looking at the players who have featured most prominently this season is the problem really as bad as being portrayed?

The one thing that will quell the type of reports we have seen of late of course is wins, and the squad we do possess has enough quality within it, that, coupled with some strengthening (lets not forget that Hughes's signings have been succesful) can see the sort of consistency of performance achieved that could see a successful turn around to the season.

Elano offered to Espanyol?

I know it was a story that surfaced yesterday, but there were some interesting comments from the President of Espanyol today:

"We have received the offer for the loan but have still not given an answer".

This suggests that rather than an approach from Espanyol for Elano, it is ourselves who maybe hawking him around and Espanyol may be in the mix as a result of relations following the signing of Pablo Zabaleta.

Elano's salary is believed to be the sticking point according to the report, something I imagine wouldn't be a problem if the owners were willing to be on the hook for part of his wages.

The surprising thing for me though would be for us to release him on loan, as if Hughes is adamant he doesn't have a future at the club then surely there would be clubs willing to sign him on a permanent basis?

Elano's thoughts

A nice interview in The Observer today with Elano, in which he mainly talks of his fond relationship with Robinho - something which is integral in helping Robinho settle in.

'There are times when I think I'm not useful any more,' Elano says. 'But behind all that there is a good feeling about the City supporters and I respect that a lot. I feel they love me and I enjoy being part of this club. I just feel sad sometimes because I know what I can do and I helped to build a lot of things last year. I was the main scorer and did good things, but today I can say I changed my way of playing to serve the team. I want to be useful, but sometimes I feel left on the side.

'I will never change my behaviour towards my friends and I'm not saying bad things about the manager. He has the right to do whatever he wants. Yet it leaves me sad because I have my own targets and I'd like the manager to force me to do things because I'm the type who has the capacity to do many things. Learning that Mourinho mentioned my name, that leaves me very happy. It gives me a lot of tranquillity knowing that top people think highly of me.'

I have posted previously about Elano being the odd man out this season, something which I expected more of - although he has had to accept a deeper role in order to be accomodated into the side of late.

There is nothing to suggest Elano is anything other than settled at the club, but with the arrival of Robinho and emergnce of Ireland this season, his frustration is evident and the chances of seeing him scale the heights of the first half of last season are not looking that likely at the moment.

Manchester City V Everton

25/02/2008 - Eastlands - 8pm

In what seems like an eternity since the completion of the 'six easy points' at old trafford we finally get back to football and its a game im really looking forward too.

City will welcome back Elano, Corluka and hopefully Johnson to the squad, it will be interesting too see what changes Sven makes if any, especially given these quotes :

"To change a team that wins at Manchester United, I don't know. Maybe, maybe not.
"They are good decisions to have for everyone at the club, even the players as there should be competition.
"Many times in the year that has not been the case."

Benjani will certainly make his home debut, following on from scoring the winner against United on his first appearance for the club, and could well make himself an instant hero.

The blue scouse meanwhile will welcome back Yobo as they look to snatch back fourth place from their near rivals. City can go level on points with everton and stay in touch of a European spot with a win.

I expect an intense tactical battle in this one. I can't see there been many goals but im leaning towards a 1-0 city win.

City 1- 0 West 'armm

And on we go to face Sheff U.

Martin Petrov carries on his personal crusade to be personally involved via assists or goals in more attacking intent than a whole team showed last year.

In truth West Ham could have been 2/3 -o up before we decided to make a game of it in the last half hour. Petrov and Bianchi, who must have finally put down his marker for the centre forward spot along with a bubbly Micah Richards at the back finally started to hit the heights we know they can. Of course the goal was scored by the mercurial Elano who started way way to deep to effect the game.

And although West Ham may have cause to complain, they only have themselves to blame for poor finishing and its hard to feel sorry for any team that contains the likes of the ever horrible Boa Morte, Lucas Neill whose second bite at Castillo resulted in a dislocated shoulder and that absolute c**t Anton Ferdinand 'Elbow Elbow; he screams at the ref , replays prove otherwise. West Ham pride themselves on been an 'Academy' , probably of cheating nowadays.

3 points on Sunday would be nice to rub the drugs cheats little c**t of a brother's nose in it.

Man City v Spurs , Carling Cup Quarter Final

A quick chance for revenge following our recent 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane, with Pascal Chimbonda's controversial goal proving the difference. City are looking for there 11th straight home win.

Spurs had a good win at Pompey on Saturday and will certainly be a different proposition from the confidence drained side of just a couple of weeks ago. Robbie Keane is still suspended whilst Darren Bent is also out injured. Michael Dawson is also out.

For City the Maestro Elano returns, whilst Sven clearly has access to texts from the bitter and blue think tank and brings Hart back in. Time to stick with young Hart in my opinion , Isakkson has had his chance and proved himself no better, the defence and Dunne in particular do not look happy at all with the swede.

Prediction : 3-1 , a tight first half opening up as both sets of players tire allowing Citys counter attacking to come into play.

Manchester City V Bolton Preview

14/12/2007 - Eastlands - 3pm


In a reversal of the last couple of years it is City who sit in the top six and welcome a struggling Bolton side only just coming to terms with the loss of Fat Bastard Allardyce. Ginger Bulemic Gary Megson is carrying on the tradition of 'the beautiful game' at the reebok.

Bolton have held the upper hand for three years since an emphatic 6-2 win, bizarrely what sticks in my mind most about that win was Allardyces stinging criticism of his team for coming and 'playing football' , so glad we didn't get him.

Anyway onto tomorrow's game 2 of the players of the season so far return in Elano and Hamman, whilst Ireland misses out due to suspension. Bolton have no new injury worries.
With the League cup quarter final coming up quick on tuesday, im a little suprised that Elano is been risked against a team that has now added nasty tackles too its already impressive time wasting and persistent fouling routine's.

An early goal is the order of the day as Bolton will certainly come for the draw, I predict a 3-1 win with the players inspired and in some cases worried with the news that Castillo is too become the first of a few high profile January signings. Anelka with the late consolation !

City 3 Middlesbrough 1

Things just keep on getting better.

A fifth straight home victory keeps us well placed in the top three, and perhaps importantly, results elsewhere see us put further distance between ourselves and the teams who will likely be realistic challengers for the European positions.

Three more goals left fans and pundits praising the manner of the performance, with a new king ready to be annointed as Elano once again had the usually reticent Eriksson praising him as he has now well and truly burst on to the national consciousness.

I found it ironic that it was Gareth Southgate - believed to be behind the 'we needed Churchill, we got Ian Duncan-Smith' put down when describing an Eriksson England team-talk, who was the manager who has to turn around a half-time deficit, which of course he failed to do. I think it is clear that Southgate is struggling as a manager - and very much like Stuart Pearce proved, the Premiership is no place for a rookie to be cutting his teeth. Shorn of attacking options in Yakubu and Viduka, I don't envisage Southgate lasting the season.

Following his thunderous free-kick last week, Elano followed this up with a beautifully crafted finished from outside the area following a cheeky back heel from Michael Johnson, and a free-kick which for me surpassed the Newcastle effort. It was perfectly placed and weighted, the ball seeming to almost float into the net as if carried along by a gentle breeze - leaving Schwarzer grasping around to try and keep it out - all to no avail. It was something that I rewound and watched again and again on MOTD2 last night.

As we approach the quarter mark of the season, it is clear that the team is beginning to gel as the players become a lot fitter and benefit from being more familiar with one another - which makes our start even more impressive (and all credit to Eriksson) for us being able to grind results out during the early stages of the season.

One thing Eriksson was keen to point out is that (Bojinov and Isaksson apart) we have been fairly injury free this season, and the squad is light and quality past the obvious starting XI - something which I expect to be rectified in the January transfer window. It is to be hoped that we manage to keep the key players healthy during what will be a testing part of the season.

Reaction:

We played good football and there were good combinations and
Elano scored two fantastic goals.
"I was pleased we scored from a corner as
well. I am very happy.
"Maybe we defender better last weekend than we did
today but that is a minor criticism. We have been doing very well at home and if
we keep going like this, that is very good."

-Sven-Goran Eriksson.

We planned to keep things tight. But we were on the back
foot after an early set-piece.
"We had as much possession as them and
created chances. But we are giving away sloppy goals and that costs you games.
"We had to be more offensive after the break and we had a couple of chances,
but they broke, we conceded a free-kick and they punished us."

-Gareth Southgate.

Reports:

The exhilarating Brazilian samba beat at the heart of Sven-Goran Eriksson's revivified Manchester City thumped out loud and clear again at Eastlands yesterday afternoon as Elano, first with a wonderfully struck right-foot shot, and then with a mischievously chipped free-kick, kept the Blues in the top three and sent the home fans skipping out of the exits with thoughts of Europe and - whoever would have thought it - the Premier league title. -The Guardian.

Manchester City’s renaissance under Sven-Göran Eriksson gathered momentum yesterday when two goals from Elano and Chris Riggott’s defensive blunder secured an emphatic victory for the home side and strengthened their grip on third place in the Barclays Premier League. -Times Online.

Sven-Goran Eriksson says he can't ask any more of Brazilian superstar Elano after Manchester City romped to a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough. -Channel4.com

Boro suffered their fifth defeat in six games on Sunday as they became the latest victims of Sven-Goran Eriksson's stunning start in charge of Manchester City. -Fly me to the moon.

Elano & Petrov too good for geordies

Newcastle become the latest club to feel the force of Sven Goran Eriksson's blue revoloution.

Despite taking a suprise lead through the impressive Obafemi Martins, Newcastle held the lead for just eight minutes. In reality they were lucky to get eight minutes as a city side clearly high on confidence and with lynchpins's Elano and Petrov, finally looking like they are approaching full fitness, pulling the strings that newcastle could clearly not live with.

Emile Mpenza was the first to trouble the geordies after Shaky Given fluffed a routine clearance.
Martins scored and to be fair the game was in the balance at this stage. Second half was a different matter all together with Elano pulling the strings in the middle and Petrov roasting the Newcastle right back when ever he wanted. Petrov Equalised with a tap in during the first half. Mpenza who had his best game of the season bagged the second straight after half time and Elano finally wound the game up with a goal that all i can say about is watch match of the day. In truth city should have sewn the game up much earlier with chance after chance from petrovs marauding runs down the left.

However that would be nit picking and city where simply too good for fat sams game but limited troops.

On the pitch Petrov and Elano are as close to genuine world class as we have seen in a long time, off the pitch Franks billions and Svens undoubted world class make these happy happy days to be a blue.

mcfc

bbc

Manchester City buy - erm everybody !

Triple signing news !!!! (how long have i waited to say that)

In Chronological order :

Javi Garrido - 22 yr old left back from Real Sociedads

Verdan Corluka - Centre/Right Back from Dinamo Zagreb

Elano - Midfielder 8million from Skaktar Dontesk - hailed by Dunga 'the symbol of the new brazil'

Official Site keep pressing refresh Valeri Bojinov is bound to pop up in a minute or two.

Strange feeling of excitement a bit of giddyness , this is all very un-city like. Fortunately im on holiday next week and will come back to Warnock in charge or something like that and feel a bit more normal ??

Viva La Sven !

Update:

Valeri Bojinov talks about his move here ("I'm disappointed but life goes on") and here ("I'd like to thank Mr Eriksson for this transfer"), and the official City site rounds up what was surely the busiest day news wise we have had for sometime.

Profiles of the new arrivals are over at purelymancity.com