Elano Blumer

Elano Blumer (born 14 June 1981 in Iracemápolis, São Paulo), commonly known as Elano, is a Brazilian Association football, who currently plays for England Premier League club Manchester City F.C. and the Brazil national football team.

Elano is a playmaker, who has the ability to play anywhere down the right flank or the centre of the field. Elano Blumer also has the ability to score from distance, especially with free kicks, and has been noted for Elano Blumer dribbling skills, vision, and superb penalty taking skills where Elano Blumer rarely misses.

Club career

Early career

Elano began Elano Blumer career with Guarani Futebol Clube of Campinas in São Paulo state. After a short spell with Limeira's Associação Atlética Internacional (Limeira), Elano Blumer joined Santos FC, the former club of Pelé, where Elano Blumer played alongside Robinho, Diego Ribas da Cunha, and Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa. Elano soon gained a reputation as a talented goal scoring midfielder, forming part of the Santos side, which won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2004. Three years at Santos produced 32 goals and earned the player a transfer to the Ukraine side FC Shakhtar Donetsk.

Shakhtar Donetsk

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

Manchester City

On 2 August 2007, paid £8 million for Elano, who signed a four-year contract. Elano Blumer made Elano Blumer debut on the opening day of the season against , providing the cross for the opening goal. Elano Blumer played in Elano Blumer first Manchester derby on 19 August 2007. Elano has also revealed how Elano Blumer is enjoying Elano Blumer new life in Manchester, describing the city as beautiful, and how the weather suits Elano Blumer better than what Elano Blumer experienced in Ukraine. Elano Blumer has also admitted surprise at the tempo of football in the Premier League.

Elano Blumer 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 Elano Blumer first goal for City in a 3–1 win over . Elano Blumer added two more goals on 7 October 2007 in Manchester City's 3–1 win over , one from open play about 25 yards out, and the other a curling free-kick from just outside the penalty area. Elano Blumer continued Elano Blumer good form by scoring the only goal in a match against and converting a late penalty in the Football League Cup victory at . On 2 January 2008, Elano Blumer 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 Elano Blumer fifth yellow card of the season when they played against , a week earlier, which meant Elano Blumer could not play in the 2–1 victory over rivals . In the end month of March and beginning off April 2008, Elano scored three penalties against in the 3–1 defeat and in the 2–1 win over Sunderland A.F.C., but also against Bolton in the second round of the League Cup.

Elano Blumer 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 in English football season, including full-back in the 3–1 home win against . Elano finished the season with a goal in the 8–1 defeat at on the last day of the Premier League. Elano Blumer first season saw Elano Blumer score 10 goals and as many assists in all competitions.

Elano has had a fairly quiet pre-season, returning a bit later due to international duty. Elano Blumer had a good performance in the 1–0 friendly win over A.C. Milan on 9 August 2008, creating many chances with Elano Blumer dominant free role in midfield. Elano Blumer continued Elano Blumer good form with a finish from the penalty spot in the 4–2 loss at . Elano Blumer followed up with two goals in the 3–0 home win against West Ham United, making Elano Blumer 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 Elano Blumer fellow Brazilian, Robinho to the club in the early part of the 2008–09 in English football season, there is doubt as to whether Elano Blumer will maintain Elano Blumer dominant midfield position at the club. During Robinho's first match for the club, a 3–1 defeat against , Elano was on the bench and was not called on to the pitch. Elano Blumer has been playing a left-central midfield role in Mark Hughes' new look side, requiring Elano Blumer to act as a support between Javier Garrido and Robinho. Elano Blumer scored a goal from 25 yards against AC Omonia on 2 October 2008, to help Manchester City qualify into the group stages of the UEFA Cup. After mixed performances off the bench, Elano Blumer continued Elano Blumer 100% penalty record with a goal from the spot with one in the UEFA Cup quarter-final match with Hamburg SV on 16 April 2009, another three days later in the 4–2 win over , and then again in a 3–1 victory over Blackburn Rovers on 2 May.Sign in deal Galatasaray

Statistics

International career

Elano capped for 2004 CONMEBOL Men Pre-Olympic Tournament in January 2004.
Elano Blumer international debut was in October 2004. Elano Blumer has since gone on to earn 32 cap (sport) with the Brazil national football team and scored six goals. Elano Blumer scored Elano Blumer first two international goals in the 2006 friendly 3–0 win against Argentina national football team on 3 September.

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

Elano Blumer has had recent call-ups from Brazil coach, Dunga, seeing Elano Blumer play a creative central midfield role in the 4–0 win against Venezuela national football team. Elano Blumer assisted for Adriano Leite Ribeiro for Elano Blumer goal.

On 19 November 2008, Elano scored in the 6–2 victory over Portugal national football team in a Exhibition game match. Elano scored Elano Blumer sixth international goal against Italy national football team with an all set up by 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 national soccer team, bringing a 3rd trophy to the Seleção.

Goals

Honours

International