No winter fears for Elano

The clocks may have gone back and the dark days of December are approaching - but the chill of a British winter holds no fears for Manchester City midfielder Elano.

While the beaches of Rio de Janeiro must be taking on an alluring appeal at this time of year, the Brazil international has not forgotten how cold life can be in the Ukraine.

So, having been plucked from the relative obscurity of Shakhtar Donetsk by new City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, Elano is happy to take whatever weather Manchester throws at him.

“I never got used to those freezing Ukrainian winters,” he told the official Manchester City magazine.

“Temperatures dropped to minus 23 at times. Coming from a warm climate like Brazil it made life very hard for me and it did affect my game.

“Everything was different from the rock-hard pitches to the extra footwear and extra clothing I wore to keep warm.

“I had to learn to speak Russian too, so it was a completely different experience, although having been there for two years, I think I managed to beat the cold in the end.”

Elano’s relationship with the City faithful is anything but frosty at present.

A major influence in the Blues rise to third spot in the Premier League table, the £8million transfer is already being talked about as the best top-flight signing of the entire campaign.

As a player whose picture adorns the walls of Santos’ home dressing room – an accolade only bestowed on Pele and Ronaldinho, Elano had clearly made a big impression on supporters in his own country long before he arrived here.

His national coach Dunga – who offered Eriksson a wholly positive response when the Swede inquired about Elano – believes the 26-year-old to be a major component of his plans for the next World Cup.

And, while Sunday’s key visit to Portsmouth remains uppermost in Elano’s mind, he is determined to wear that famous yellow shirt of Brazil in the biggest tournament of all.

“I am enjoying every minute of my time at Manchester City,” he said.

"It would be nice to see a few more of my fellow countrymen come here. Brazil means passion. A lot of people around the world try to harm one another but in my country, football is more important than anything else.

“I have 25 caps for my country and I treasure each one. My next goal is to play at the next World Cup.”