Elano relishes City chance
07 Oct 2007 - 13:51:42
Manchester City's star playmaker Elano has thanked manager Sven-Goran Eriksson for giving him the chance to show his class in English football.
The 26-year-old has hit top form quickly with the Citizens, having endured a difficult two seasons in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk and found his opportunities with Brazil limited due to his problems.
"Every day I would pray that I could leave for another club," Elano told The News of the World.
"It was difficult for a Brazilian player arriving in the Ukraine, where it was 23 degrees below freezing. It was very difficult living there.
"Inside the club structure was quite nice. Otherwise it was very difficult for me. When you are not happy outside football you take your problems with you on to the pitch.
"It was not easy to adapt. When I realised I was not needed in the team it was time to leave.
"At Shakhtar I did not play very often. I used to play one game then it was one or two without playing. That caused me quite a few problems.
"I believe I missed out on going to the last World Cup because of the move. I was involved in the international games before the finals, but after leaving for Ukraine I was not called up any more.
"I felt quite sad about that, but now coming to England has given me the chance to get back into the national team."