As the Blues flew home from Hong Kong last night with Sven-Goran Eriksson's future set to be decided, the Brazilian playmaker set his sights on a place in the Premier League's top four next season.
The 26-year-old missed the Far East tour as he was given a short break before joining up with the Brazil squad for two games in the US against Canada and Venezuela in the next fortnight.
Elano, brought to Eastlands from Shakhtar Donetsk by Eriksson last summer, does not want the Swede to leave the club.
The midfielder intends to stay at Eastlands whatever happens to the manager, and promises to show he can stay at the top of his game for a full English season.
He admits that his form dropped away after a blistering start to life at Eastlands - partly because he was unused to the demands of the Premier League and partly because Eriksson asked him to play in a more combative role at the turn of the year.
But he insists that both he and City will be on the up again once the manager's future is sorted out.
He said: "We haven't achieved some of our objectives during the season, but I think we can improve next year and fight for a UEFA Cup place again, or even a Champions League spot. I think it's been a productive season for me. I've scored goals and got to know the English football style.
"It was a good first season and I'm sure I will improve here."
Elano has been following the stories of Eriksson's expected exit on the internet, and admits it was the talk of the dressing room in the last couple of weeks of the season.
He said: "There are lots of rumours, and obviously the players are aware of that, so we talk about it.
Versatility
"I've enjoyed working with Sven-Goran Eriksson and his staff, but I don't want to get involved. It's the club's decision."
Elano has certainly shown his versatility during his time at City - but has no doubts about his preferred position.
He said: "I have played as a winger here and I have played as a right-back, too.
"I prefer to play in the middle, because that is where you have more contact with the ball."
Elano is the first to admit that the rigours of a Premier League season came as a big shock after two years in Ukraine.
He struggled to recapture his early-season form after picking up an injury while on international duty with Brazil last October.
The midfielder also missed a month with a hamstring strain just before Christmas, then found himself playing out of position when he returned.
"I need to prepare for December and January better than I did," he said.
"There are more games here than there are in other leagues. I will try to be ready for the winter and to be better physically, so that I can play a better season.
"I suffered a bit at the beginning of the winter. It was cold and rainy and I found it hard to perform the way I had been. I also played with some minor injuries.
"The physical side is much more important in England than in other countries and I ended up feeling it."
SUN Jihai captained the Blues against the South China invitational XI in Bangkok yesterday, the final match on their Far East tour.
City went ahead through Didi Hamann, but the Blues again played poorly, and the home side pulled back to win 3-1 with goals from Giovane Da Silva, Festus Baise and Liang Zicheng.
"I'm disappointed that we lost, but the most important thing is that we tried to play good football," Eriksson said.
CITY legend Mike Summerbee will join Blues museum manager Gary James in Manchester tomorrow to sign a new book.
The pair will be signing copies of James' book `Manchester: A Football History' at Waterstone's on Deansgate from 1pm.
James will also be signing the book at Waterstone's in the Trafford Centre tonight at 6.30pm. Tweet
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if medals were handed out for talk, we'd get a fair few. shame its on the pitch where it counts
Now your talking kid. Go Go Go.
Whats Happening with The Swedish one !!!!!!!
Congratulations Elano on your Goal of the Season !!
Hope to see alot more of them kind of Goals this season coming !!!
MEN tell us whats happening with SVEN !!!
Isn't this article just cobbled together from a question and answer interview Elano did for Teletext?
If we can sell him and get our money back great,four good games he had all season and he's to light weight for the premiership.
At least he is honest to know where he needs to improve ..I for one am glad he wear the Sky Blue of Manchester City and like Petrov wants to continue to do so ....
Nice one Elano. He is honest about his unfamiliarity with the English game and determined to improve next season. Surely even the most pessimistic fans have seen enough of the lad to know that he has already delivered and has massive potential. However, whether City can improve as much as he says depends upon who is signed. Four key players could make an enormous difference to how the side performs.
Well done MEN, on the ball as usual...... I seem to recall reading all Elano's quotes on Teletext the other week.......... please can you try and find out what is going on at City, you have had a enough time to have done sone decent journalistic work!
Good lad, this is the attitude we need from the players....
another non story yawn
Wake up Elano
This interview was on teletext a week ago.......
Whats happening with the manager? Is Jo set to sign today? What does Lee Bradbury ruined my life think of his managerial recommendation Mark Sparky Hughes's first summer signing - the inspirational Hossam Ghaly - oh how City missed out on such a quality player......
I think he'll have a much better 2nd season myself.
The only thing I can watch go is City,s credibility, our Captain, and our young talent!!
Although gifted,Elano will next October, catch the shivers again and not regain his skills in time to save another still yet unnamed manager
Exactly what have the long-suffering supporters done to deserve this? Whatever it is that the owner is trying to do,can he or his advisors not
see the damage they are doing to our Club?
Leave football people to deal with football matters.
ope your right elano, can't see it though. more chance of frank giving the manager(who ever it is) 200million to buy a new team.
go down ha
I have said before, to finish in the top 4 we would need to be buying players at £15-20m each on average. Buying players for £6m on average will only buy you average players. So £100m needs to be spent on 6 players that are WORLD CLASS! Oh and Elano matey get yourself down a gym and build your strength and musce up as I have seen too many Premiership defenders blow you over, otherwise your magic.
at least he is staying!!
Cuckoo!
Nice to hear somebody who is loyal to the club, and prepared to voice this. He is obviously happy with what he has found at City. I really hope you are back to your best next season Elano. You were a pleasure to watch up till Christmas,
Go where - down the pan?
I think he and Pet will be far better for the season they have just had, esp Pet who was injured the whole of the previous season. Onwards and upwards, whoever comes in for Sven, needs to buy a midfield minder for these 2... I think Essien would be awesome if we are playing fantasy football but his midfield partner for Ghana Stephen Appiah would be a viable alternative, strong and has a 'good engine' to get about the field, at Fenerbahce i think so should be quite cheap.
CTID
I read all that days ago....keep up the sharpness,MUEN.
Seems Elano wants to be a part of the future,there's more to come from this lad and will be a big player for us next season.
ps Hate the lucky scum.
Our end of season form was more relegation than ECL.....