ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Manchester City- Elano Has Left The Building

Posted by Wallace Poulter on 07/30/2009

Quite simply the most stupid move that City have made in the last decade. Galatasaray have signed Elano and as you would suspect I am beyond annoyed. On a day when the City faithful should have been celebrating the arrival of Kolo Toure and the long term commitment to Nedum Onuoha we instead find that the team's only quality dead ball specialist is off to Turkey. Unbelievably stupid.

Lets go back over the last two seasons. As good as Petrov, Bianchi and others were at the start of the season it was Elano that was the inspiration behind the great start that Eriksson's team made to the season. When the Brazilian was injured in November the season started to go down hill culminating with Sven's fascination with Darius Vassell and the ultimate dismissal of the Swede at the end of the season. Cue the start of last season and Elano is in and out of the side.

Apparently I'm the only one who is surprised that City struggle, certainly the manager doesn't have a clue as he catches Eriksson's Vassell-itis. Then towards the end of the season because of injury and suspension Elano gets a reasonable run in the team. Surprise, surprise, City regain their form and for one shining moment are back challenging for Europe.

The man starts for Brazil for crying out loud. More importantly Elano has never missed a penalty for the club and is by far the best free kick specialist that City had.

But this move speaks volumes, absolute volumes, as to the ability and lack thereof of Mark Hughes. Whether we like it or not superstar players tend to come with superstar egos and superstar issues. Elano is not a superstar, but if Hughes is unable to man manage Elano how on earth is he going to manage the players at the club when City truly become a significant European presence?

Hard working, boring drones will get City absolutely nowhere. Maybe Ferguson knows his former player better than we think when he called City a small club with a small mentality because this is exactly what we are seeing today.

If Mark Hughes is the manager that the owner and chairman want that is their decision. But all signs are that Hughes is incapable of taking City to the next level, never mind the highest level. Would the next manager want a creative force that starts for Brazil and has never missed a penalty for the club? I tend to think so. If Hughes couldn't work with Elano and the decision, obviously, is to keep Hughes then Elano should have been sent out on loan for a year. That way when Hughes makes a complete pig's breakfast of the whole thing the attacking midfielder would be available to the next manager as an option.

Barry, Santa Cruz, Tevez, Adebayor and Toure. Pretty heady stuff for a club that 10 years ago was beating Gillingham. But amongst all the euphoria there are serious warning signs for the club. Hopefully I will be proven wrong, but if City are outside the top ten come Christmas, I would not be surprised at all.

Comments

Posted by Rob on 07/30/2009

I too am beyond annoyed at this. Elano was the find of the season two years back, and it only strengthens my belief that Hughes is woeful at team selection. Only (very small) silver lining is that Elano won't be back to haunt us twice a year for another Premier League team.
I only hope the inevitable Hughes let down comes early and the owners let him go with time to salvage the season.

Posted by lex on 07/30/2009

Elano is talented, there's no doubt about that.

But why did he move to Galatasaray?

Of all the clubs in the world, why does he move to a Turkish one? Aren't there better clubs in France, Germany, or Portugal? Why did he go to such a non-competitive league? Maybe it's because none of the clubs from good leagues valued him at 8 million. And if that's the case, then maybe it was right for him to go. He's inconsistently good, and he was on thin ice after criticizing Mark Hughes. Can you imagine anyone speaking out against SAF?

Barry could probably take over dead-ball duties. That said, I will miss watching Elano.

Posted by Pete on 07/30/2009

Just because Elano is gone it doesn't spell doom and gloom. Elano did not work hard in training and was never a player who endeared himself to a tough training manager.

City will be a very solid team this season. Toure is a huge signing and I think that City have replacements in mind for Elano.

Posted by Justin on 07/30/2009

I think outside the top 10 is definitely a little harsh (unless it happens...ugh!). Yes, Elano is a talent. Yes, Elano was a headache. Yes, he plays in the Brazil squad, but No, he didn't fit on this City team. he fit with Sven, but the fact that he is off to Turkey and previously was in the Ukraine shows the passion this player has for Club...Country may be different for him, but for club he was hit or miss. My question is...did Vladimir Weiss push him out of his place?

Wallace Reply I've yet to see Weiss play and based on some reports I'm hearing I'm really looking forward to it. Kid could be special. My point with Elano is he should have been sent out on loan. I get that Hughes and he don't work well if at all together. Sometimes that happens. Given the resources of the club we lose nothing by sending him out on loan for a year. If Hughes is successful then so be it and we move on.

Posted by Justin on 07/30/2009

thoughts on Bojinov on loan?

Wallace Reply Great move. Prior to the Elano debacle I had planned to talk about just that today. Perfect example, the guy has been injured for two years, needs to play, is confident in the Italian league and still has huge potential. So loan him to an Italian team, if he is as good as we think then we get him back in a year and he challenges for a first team place. This was a smart move.

Posted by chris on 07/30/2009

Wallace, you are a little bit over the top on this Elano issue... Sure he was great when he first arrived, but he had far more bad games for City than good ones. I don't think he is better in midfield than steven ireland, and isn't a true winger. You are right that he may be missed in dead-ball sitations (especially penalties), but he did not really fit with Hughes or the team as it is currently constructed. He doesn't track back. Have faith, I think we will not ending up missing him as much as you think. And believe me, if we are outside the top ten come christmas, it won't be because of lack of Elano. Also, this may presage the departure of Robinho in January or next year, depending on how things go this year...
Anyway, think of the glut in midfield already - pick three of Kompany, De Jong, Barry, Ireland, Petrov, SWP, Zabaleta... still a mystery as the preseason has shown us nothing much yet.

Posted by Rob on 07/30/2009

I suppose the question I have is, why Turkey for Elano, and why only for 8 million? Hughes has wanted to get rid of him for the last six months, and no other clubs came in for him? We signed him for 8 million, he shows considerable skill in the EPL, starts for Brazil, yet he moves for ~8 million to Galatasaray of all clubs. What am I missing here? Shouldn't his value have gone up in the last year? No one else valued him at 8 million? Either way, I will miss watching him play. Love the blog btw.

Posted by Mike G on 07/30/2009

I have been waiting for a new entry, love the blog, and I knew it would come with Elano leaving. I have to admit that I was with you on wanting to hold on to Elano for many of the same reasons you were, dead ball situations, etc., but mostly the way he combined with Ireland, Robinho and SWP in passing this past year, it was at times magical. But he clearly did not get along with Hughes and when you look at the current squad maybe that interchanging passing will not be valued as much as it was last year. Also, realistically he did not play nearly good enough defense in midfield, an area City clearly has/had issues, hence signing De Jong, Kompany, Barry etc. I mean Hughes/Sven were playing Gelson in an attempt to get someone to play defense in midfield. All said and done I was pulling for a loan at a high level Italian squad and we pretty much got the opposite of that. I will miss him and hope that City doesn't, maybe Ireland can provide some of the magic along with some more passion.

Posted by Ted on 07/30/2009

Elano cooked his goose by complaining to the press (not the manager) that he wasn't getting enough games.
From that day his card was marked.
In fact you could say that Hughes 'man managed' the situation very well as it sent out the message that he is the one in charge.
Then again your comments about Hughes not been able to take us to the next level are quite frankly laughable.
In a month where he has signed 5 very very good players you sulk because one of your favorites has left.
You need to try and see the bigger picture mate.
Oh and by the way I loved watching Elano play but the reality is he was inconsistent.
I am old enough to have seen the Bell,Lee, Summerbee,Oakes,Young,etc team and I can assure you there has never been a better time to support City than right now so if you allow the manager a bit longer than the 12 months he has had to date he WILL win trophies.

Cheers

Posted by Carlos on 07/31/2009

It is bad to see Elano leaving. Sometimes teams, coaches and players come to point of not turning back due to differences. I think it is the case here. Galatasaray showed the money, City breaks even, so bye Elano. Elano was part of that Santos team that included Robinho, Diego(Juventus), Alex(Chelsea)and as creative midfield that he is it might have been for him hard to believe in Mark H's game proposition during last season. Players out of position and so on. I think that with Elano and Ireland arriving from the midfield would have been a great addition to the choices of forwards in the team right now. We agree that Elano wasn't City problems last year. The defense was.

Posted by Chucky on 07/31/2009

Do u have an idea abaout Galatasaray This club is the one of clubs that the most attended the Europe Cups in the world.And in their squad a lot of telented players like milan baros,hary kewell,kader keita,leo franco, arda turan only a few stars in the squad the squad included all the natiaonal players and the coach is the frank rejkard.So Galatasaray is bigger than ur club elano join to Galatasaray for himself for his career.

Posted by Martin Nazimek on 07/31/2009

Wallace,

I agree about Elano sale. i would perfer a loan, but even if MH is sacked this season I dont see him in the starting 11 anyway. Now if he was ok to come off the bench he would be an amazing asset. I just think that the bridge was burned with him and the club. On Weiss, I have seen a couple preseason games and he is very exiting to watch. All he needs is to polish his skills a little more and develop a better shot, which will come with time. But he is a player that came through the ranks and thats the reason I love city. They develop their talent. CTID

Posted by Stan on 07/31/2009

I'm saddened...but hardly surprised...that Elano moved on. It's a loss, to be sure, but it's telling that he signed at Galatasary.

Yes, he starts for Brazil, but no continental powers were lining up for his services? And, yes, Galatasary are giants in Turkey, but most folks will recognize that Baros and Kewell did not flourish in the Premier League. And Keita scored a mere 5 goals for Lyon in his two seasons there.

Still, Elano's skills in a dead-ball situation and with penalty kicks are undeniable, and ManCity will miss them. I understand Wallace's frustration. It's hard to believe ManCity is not weaker as a result of this move.

Posted by Greg on 07/31/2009

I have to side with Wallace on this one, a sale for 8m was bad business. The 2nd half of last season Elano's defense and effort in tracking back were much improved. But defense is not the reason he is on the team, that is what Barry and DeJong are for. If Elano did not fit he should have been loaned out. Just because money does not matter is no excuse for bad deals.

Posted by Noah Wexler on 07/31/2009

I tend to agree with you on most things but this I do not. Elano is 28 years old and has 11 caps for Brazil, he most likely will be overtaken by a better younger version of himself by world cup time and showed flashes of offensive brilliance at times for city and country. A loan is not an option for some of that age as upon his return he would stand no better chance of getting in the squad than he does now. He has reach the peak of his ability and its just not good enough for the EPL. I admit his set pieces were nice but I have heard Tevez is not too shabby at them either but hasn't had the opportunity with C-RON running the show at United. While at brief times he was the best at city in the last few years the best of the past is the worst of the present and he had to go. Hughes still needs to prove himself and hopefully he will but, Elano has proved himself to be a player that tries when he feels like it not when the team needs him to. I doubt his attitude would change under any coach

Posted by Greg on 08/01/2009

Noah,

Elano has 32 caps and is a regular for Brazil. Age 28-31 is generally considered peak years of a players career. The rest of your post has merit, but it is dishonest to try to protray Elano as over the hill. I shared your views on his efforts the first half of last season, but English football is much tougher than other leagues and I thought Elano was adjusting. Would have loved to see him with the added talent.

Posted by Noah Wexler on 08/03/2009

Greg,

Thanks for the stat correction. Not sure where I got that from. I agree he gets in the Brazil side more than I first thought, but still compared to players of his age he has far less international experience than his teammates. I wish him the best of luck at Galatasaray, which I think is one of the more interesting teams to watch for upsets in Europe this year. Playing in Turkey, I have heard a number of coaches and pundits says is one of the more difficult experiences for an away team as the environment is on another level when compared to EPL venues. Thanks again for pointed out my error.

Posted by Ronan on 08/11/2009

A lot of folks are asking why Galatasaray? The answer ... 15% tax for professional footballers! Not bad compared to the UK's 45%.
Elano was magic when interested and infuriating when not. Give me a Tevez, Wright-Phillips or Ireland, who you know are going to give everything for the cause, any day of the season. Wallace, your blog is great but enough with the whinging mate - this promises to be the most exciting season in most of our memories!

Wallace Reply lol, don't worry I'm over my frustration at the Elano saga. And yes also looking forward to Saturday.

Posted by starlikethis on 08/12/2009

Milan Baros
Arda Turan
Kader Keita
Harry Kewell
Leo Franco
Tobias Linderoth
Mehmet Topal

Galatasaray's squad has a kot of talented player like this and their coach is Frank Rijkaard. I think the best choice was Galatasaray.

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