Elano is delighted with the way he has quickly settled at Manchester City.

"I've settled well in Manchester," the former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder told City's website, "my family are extremely happy here. I've been working hard since I came, but the whole system at the club is very professional, from the coaches to everyone that works behind the scenes at the training ground. I couldn't be happier with the way it is going for me here but I'm trying to improve.

"This league is the best I've played in, it's watched all around the world so I'm happy to be playing here. The defences here are more professional, more physical and advanced than what I have played against before. The game in Brazil and elsewhere is more classical and a bit lazier, here everyone works a lot harder so I'm having to work hard as well."

Much was made in the media of the make-up of Sven-Goran Eriksson's new-look City squad, but Elano, who has compatriot Geovanni alongside him at the club, says that language has been no barrier.

"There has been no problems with the languages, if you are a good footballer and you work with the kind of players we have here, you'll never have any problems about that."