Can't buy a game at Eastlands.

Now-a-days at Middle-Eastlands, headlines are dominated by Robinho and Shay Given, and the exploits of last seasons dominate early season form at the hands of Brazilian Elano have been nearly forgotten. That is until he was dispatched by Dunga against Italy in London for an International friendly. Playing on the right Elano showed pure class, with silky passing and fluent moving and a clear ability to operate all over the field. With his one two from Ronaldinho found Robinho, followed by a through pass on the on-running Elano where he finished over the helpless Buffon, one thing became clear - this guy needs to play.

Although Mark Hughes and Elano have had a falling out back in September, it is time to get this guy on the field for the faltering Citizens. With the three-match ban on the horizon for Shaun Wright-Phillips, the time could be right for the Brazilian to step into the position he occupied for his country which he went on to impress. If Hughes overlooks this world-class star he already has on his books, this could go a long way in carving out the future for Elano who has done a great deal in a short time at the City of Manchester Stadium, mostly under Sven Goran-Eriksson.

So they missed out on Kaka, but after Elano's performance against Italy, is that such a big deal?