Elano admits Sven Goran Eriksson answered his prayers when he rescued him from his Ukraine nightmare.
City ace admits Shakhtar stress
Manchester City star Elano admits Sven Goran Eriksson answered his prayers when he rescued him from his Ukraine nightmare.
City manager Eriksson splashed out £8million to sign the Brazilian playmaker from Shakhtar Donetsk.
And Elano, who has impressed for City in their positive start to the season, has revealed it was dream come true to move to the Premier League following his difficult period with Shakhtar.
"Every day I would pray to God that I could leave for another club," Elano told the News of the World.
Difficult
"It was difficult for a Brazilian player arriving in the Ukraine, where it was 23 degrees below freezing.
"It was very difficult living there. The food was not so good. I had to ask my family to send some over from Brazil.
"Inside the club structure was quite nice. Otherwise it was very difficult for me.
"When you are not happy outside football you take your problems with you on to the pitch.
Problems
"It was not easy to adapt. When I realised I was not needed in the team it was time to leave.
"At Shakhtar I did not play very often. I used to play one game then it was one or two without playing. That caused me quite a few problems.
"I believe I missed out on going to the last World Cup (2006) because of the move. I was involved in the international games before the finals but after leaving for the Ukraine I was not called up any more.
"I felt quite sad about that but now coming to England has given me the stamp to get back into the national team."
