Elano proves his point

Elano: Back in form

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Elano believes his recent return to form has proved Manchester City manager Mark Hughes wrong.

The Brazilian playmaker has been asked to play a defensive role this season and was fined £40,000 in November for complaining about being dropped to the bench.

But the 27-year-old has earned a recall and begun to reproduce the magic that captivated the City fans last term during his debut season in the Premier League.

Elano has started the last four games and feels a run in the first team has helped him to rekindle his partnership with close friend Robinho.

The pair came through the ranks at Santos, winning the Brazilian championship together, and Elano reckons there is more to come if he can secure a contract extension.

"You can only achieve a certain rhythm of play by playing regularly," he told The Independent. "This proves that what I said was right.

Unhappy

"When I wasn't playing he (Robinho) was also unhappy as he knew I could play. It has been shown so far that when I'm playing, Robinho can produce even better goods.

"When I was on the bench I was seeing things I could have done better for him. I know his style of play. I know how he wants to receive the ball, where he likes passes to be made.

"In the Everton match I made the pass and he scored, 1-0 for us. That shows we have a natural, mutual understanding.

"I'm not taking anything away from other players but there are certain things that you can achieve playing for many years. We know our positions form each other on the pitch. It can only grow even more."

Elano is still unsure whether he has a long-term future at Eastlands, however, with more high-profile signings expected in the summer by the big-spending Blues.

The club will discuss a new deal with Elano over the summer but he feels the constant speculation over players coming to City has affected the existing squad, particularly the club's youth products.

Elano was fined for making his feelings known about being dropped and he fears City's emerging stars may also become disillusioned by a lack of first-team opportunities.

"I was fined by the club just for saying I wanted to play," he said.

Apology

"When I was called in the office to have a chat with the manager, I said: 'Listen, I apologise if I said something wrong. That was not my intention.' I just wanted to express what I was feeling at the time - that I wanted to play more.

"This has been one of the reasons for our difficulties this season," Elano added. "We can't go to the press and express our feelings because otherwise we get fined and punished.

"But in a way it seems unfair because all the time, on a daily basis, there are reports of a new player coming and it seems to us that we are not worth that much. The players should also have the right to talk about certain things.

"It probably won't affect me that much because I play in the Brazilian national team, in the first XI, so I consider myself a good player.

"But it might affect my team-mates more because they probably will not give as much on the pitch to help us."