Elano

Elano
Elano blumer.jpg
Personal information
Full name Elano Ralph Blumer
Date of birth 14 June 1981 (1981-06-14) (age 29)
Place of birth Iracemápolis, Brazil
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Playing position Attacking Midfielder
Number 9
Youth career
1998–1999 Guarani
2000 Inter Limeira
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2001–2004 Santos 131 (33)
2004–2007 Shakhtar Donetsk 49 (14)
2007–2009 Manchester City 62 (14)
2009– Galatasaray 26 (3)
National team‡
2004– Brazil 45 (9)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 3 June 2010.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 28 June 2010

Elano Ralph Blumer (born 14 June 1981), commonly known as Elano, is a Brazilian footballer, who plays for Turkish Süper Lig side Galatasaray and the Brazilian national team. Elano has been noted for his penalty taking skills where he rarely misses.[2]

Elano possesses an Italian passport.[3] He is also of German descent.

Contents

Club career

Early career

Elano began his career with Guarani of Campinas in São Paulo state. After a short spell with Limeira's Internacional, he joined Santos, the former club of Pelé, where he played alongside Robinho, Diego, and Alex. Elano soon gained a reputation as a talented goal scoring midfielder, forming part of the Santos side, which won the Campeonato Brasileiro in 2004. Three years at Santos produced 34 goals and earned the player a transfer to the Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk.

Shakhtar Donetsk

Although he was not a regular in his first season in Ukraine, Elano went on to establish his credentials as a key player and exceptional form saw him become the first player from the Ukrainian Premier League to represent the Brazilian national team, when he was called up for the Brazil versus Norway game on 16 August 2006. During his time at Shakhtar Donetsk, Elano also played in a friendly match between Brazil and Argentina at the Emirates Stadium, in which he scored two goals, with Kaká scoring the other goal in a 3–0 win over Argentina.

Manchester City

On 2 August 2007, Manchester City paid £8 million for Elano, who signed a four-year contract.[4] He made his debut on the opening day of the season against West Ham United, providing the cross for the opening goal.[5] He played in his first Manchester derby on 19 August 2007. Elano also revealed how he enjoyed his new life in Manchester, describing the city as beautiful,[6] and how the weather suited him better than that which he experienced in Ukraine.[7] He also admitted surprise at the tempo of football in the Premier League.[8]

He was assigned with the squad number 11, previously allocated to Darius Vassell, who instead wore the number 12 shirt.

On 29 September 2007, Elano scored his first goal for City in a 3–1 win over Newcastle United. He added two more goals on 7 October 2007 in Manchester City's 3–1 win over Middlesbrough, one from open play about 25 yards out, and the other a curling free-kick from just outside the penalty area. He continued his good form by scoring the only goal in a match against Birmingham City and converting a late penalty in the League Cup victory at Bolton Wanderers. On 2 January 2008, he scored the first goal of 2008 at St James' Park in Manchester City's 2–0 victory over Newcastle. On 16 January, in the FA Cup third round, Elano scored the winning goal as Manchester City knocked West Ham out of the competition and progressed to the fourth round. On 2 February, Elano got his fifth yellow card of the season when they played against Arsenal, a week earlier, which meant he could not play in the 2–1 victory over rivals Manchester United. In the end month of March and beginning off April 2008, Elano scored three penalties against Birmingham City in the 3–1 defeat and in the 2–1 win over Sunderland, but also against Bolton in the second round of the League Cup.

His performances at the end of the 2007–08 season pleased the then manager Sven-Göran Eriksson who claimed that the "Real Elano is Back." Elano has proved himself to be extremely versatile, playing in many positions for Manchester City throughout the 2007–08 season, including full-back in the 3–1 home win against Portsmouth. Elano finished the season with a goal in the 8–1 defeat at Middlesbrough on the last day of the Premier League. His first season saw him score 10 goals and as many assists in all competitions.

Elano had a fairly quiet pre-season, returning a bit later due to international duty. He had a good performance in the 1–0 friendly win over Milan on 9 August 2008, creating many chances with his dominant free role in midfield. He continued his good form with a finish from the penalty spot in the 4–2 loss at Aston Villa. He followed up with two goals in the 3–0 home win against West Ham United, making him joint top scorer with Gabriel Agbonlahor at the end of week two in the Premier League. However, with the high-profile return of Shaun Wright-Phillips to the club and the transfer of his fellow Brazilian, Robinho to the club in the early part of the 2008–09 season, there is doubt as to whether he will maintain his dominant midfield position at the club. During Robinho's first match for the club, a 3–1 defeat against Chelsea, Elano was on the bench and was not called on to the pitch. He has been playing a left-central midfield role in Mark Hughes' new look side, requiring him to act as a support between Javier Garrido and Robinho. He scored a goal from 25 yards against Omonia Nicosia on 2 October 2008, to help Manchester City qualify into the group stages of the UEFA Cup. After mixed performances off the bench, he continued his 100% penalty record with a goal from the spot with one in the UEFA Cup quarter-final match with Hamburg on 16 April 2009, another three days later in the 4–2 win over West Bromwich Albion, and then again in a 3–1 victory over Blackburn Rovers on 2 May.

Galatasaray

Elano joined Galatasaray on 30 July 2009, signing a four-year contract with the Turkish giants.[9] He was greeted at the airport by over 1,300 fans. Elano has the number 9 shirt, previously belonging to Turkey and Galatasaray player Hakan Şükür.[10][11] He made his debut on 20 August 2009 in a Europa League play-off game against Estonian side Levadia Tallinn, coming on as a sub in the 69th minute.[12] He scored his first goal for the club on his home league debut against Kayserispor on 23rd August 2009, scoring a fantastic left-foot goal from 28 metres.[13]

International career

Elano capped for 2004 CONMEBOL Men Pre-Olympic Tournament in January 2004. His international debut was in October 2004. He has since gone on to earn 35 caps with the Brazilian national team and scored six goals. He scored his first two international goals in the 2006 friendly 3–0 win against Argentina on 3 September.

In 2007, Elano participated in the Copa América, playing four games for Brazil, including the final against Argentina, during which he assisted a goal before being subbed due to injury.

He has had recent call-ups from Brazil coach, Dunga, seeing him play a creative central midfield role in the 4–0 win against Venezuela. He assisted for Adriano for his goal.

On 19 November 2008, Elano scored in the 6–2 victory over Portugal in a friendly match. Elano scored his sixth international goal against Italy with an all set up by Manchester City ex-teammate, Robinho, who went on to score Brazil's second goal. Elano setup the winning goal for Lúcio, completing a stunning second-half comeback in the final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup against the United States, bringing a 3rd trophy to the Seleção. Since his debut he has gone on to become Brazil's starting right midfielder. The Seleção has used his excellent crossing ability to score numerous goals on corner kicks.

On 14 November 2009, Elano made an assist in a friendly game against England. Nilmar ran between two defenders to head a long pass from Elano past goalkeeper Ben Foster and put the five-time champions ahead. Brazil defeated England with 1–0.[14]

FIFA World Cup 2010

On 15 June 2010, Elano scored Brazil's second goal against Korea DPR in their first game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in the 72nd minute.[15] He also scored a goal against Côte d'Ivoire at the 62nd minute in Brazil's second game but was substituted minutes later with an injury after a very heavy challenge. He did not play for the rest of the tournament due to that injury.

Career statistics

As of 7 June 2010[16]

Club

Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Santos 2001 25 2 - - - - - - 25 2
2002 24 8 - - - - - - 24 8
2003 39 8 - - - - - - 39 13
2004 41 16 - - - - - - 41 16
Total 129 34 0 0 0 0 0 0 129 34
Shakhtar Donetsk 2004–05 13 4 2 0 - - 4 1 19 5
2005–06 25 5 1 0 - - 10 4 36 9
2006–07 11 5 2 1 - - 9 2 22 8
Total 49 14 5 1 0 0 23 7 77 22
Manchester City 2007–08 34 8 2 1 2 1 0 0 38 10
2008–09 28 6 1 0 1 0 12 2 42 8
Total 62 14 3 1 3 1 12 2 80 18
Galatasaray 2009–10 25 3 5 1 - 9 3 39 7
2010–11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 25 3 5 1 0 0 9 3 39 7
Career total 265 65 13 3 3 1 44 12 325 81

International

National team Season Apps Goals
Brazil 2004 1 0
2005 1 0
2006 5 2
2007 13 2
2008 7 1
2009 14 1
2010 4 3
Total 45 9

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 3 September 2006 Emirates Stadium, London, England  Argentina 1 – 0 3 – 0 Friendly
2. 3 September 2006 Emirates Stadium, London, England  Argentina 2 – 0 3 – 0 Friendly
3. 9 September 2007 Soldier Field, Chicago, United States  United States 4 – 2 4 – 2 Friendly
4. 17 October 2007 Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  Ecuador 5 – 0 5 – 0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
5. 19 November 2008 Bezerrão, Distrito Federal, Brazil  Portugal 5 – 2 6 – 2 Friendly
6. 10 February 2009 Emirates Stadium, London, England  Italy 1 – 0 2 – 0 Friendly
7. 2 June 2010 National Sports Stadium, Harare, Zimbabwe  Zimbabwe 3 – 0 3 – 0 Friendly
8. 15 June 2010 Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa  Korea DPR 2 – 0 2 – 1 2010 FIFA World Cup
9. 20 June 2010 Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa  Côte d'Ivoire 3 – 0 3 – 1 2010 FIFA World Cup

Honours

Club

Country

References

  1. ↑ "Manchester City FC profile". Manchester City. 2008-07-16. http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?syndicatorguid=&rmasiteinstanceguid=&pagegid={439A001B-9F18-408E-BD8E-8466AB3C97FD}&bioid=92817&siteid=502. Retrieved 2008-07-16. 
  2. ↑ Spot king Elano April 24 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
  3. ↑ Elano - Transfermarkt.de
  4. ↑ "Elano heads Man City triple swoop". BBC Sport. 2007-08-02. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/6927556.stm. Retrieved 2007-08-02. 
  5. ↑ "West Ham 0 Manchester City 2". Sporting Life. http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premteams/westham/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=soccer/07/08/11/SOCCER_West_Ham.html&TEAMHD=westham. Retrieved 2007-10-14. 
  6. ↑ Bellos, Alex (18 August 2007). "Elano out of the cold and warming up City". The Guardian (London). http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2151261,00.html. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  7. ↑ Chase, Graham (14 December 2007). "Elano Blumer warms to Manchester weather". The Times (London). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article3048635.ece. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  8. ↑ "2007/2008 | Official Site of the Premier League – Barclays Premier League News, Fixtures and Results | Statistics". Premierleague.com. http://www.premierleague.com/page/Statistics/0,,12306,00.html. Retrieved 2010-06-26. 
  9. ↑ "Yeni transfer Elano". Ajansspor.com. 2010-01-16. http://www.ajansspor.com/futbol/tahmin/h/20100116/yeni_transfer_elano.html?ref=tur_satb. Retrieved 2010-06-26. 
  10. ↑ "Galatasaray Sports Club Official Website – Elano Blumer Joins Galatasaray". Galatasaray.org. http://www.galatasaray.org/en/futbol/futbol_as/haber/739.php. Retrieved 2010-06-26. 
  11. ↑ "Manchester City Official Website – Elano leaves for Turkey". Mcfc.co.uk. http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/2009/July/Elano-leaves-for-Turkey. Retrieved 2010-06-26. 
  12. ↑ Havan yeter Aslanım (Turkish)
  13. ↑ "Galatasaray 4–1 Kayserispor". Galatasaray.org. http://www.galatasaray.org/en/futbol/superlig/haber/764.php. Retrieved 2009-08-23. 
  14. ↑ "Brazil edge depleted England". FIFA.com. http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1133782.html#brazil+edge+depleted+england. Retrieved 2009-11-14. 
  15. ↑ "Brazil 2–1 North Korea". BBC Sport. 2010-06-15. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_14/default.stm. Retrieved 2010-06-15. 
  16. ↑ "Elano". National Football Teams. http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=9974. Retrieved 2010-06-03. 

External links

Galatasaray S.K. – current squad

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