Elano has admitted he is finding life tough in The Premier League, but has pledged his long-term future to Manchester City.

The Brazilian is determined to prove his class and feels a summer of heavy recruitment at Eastlands will aid his transition.

"Before the winter the pitches are firm and that makes the difference for me," Elano told The Independent. "The studs are higher then. Because of the weather and the way the pitches are, there have been difficulties for my game.

"I'm used to two weeks off in the mid-season, too. That's been hard to adjust to. It's just a question of development and adjustment for me.

"When I arrived here nobody knew me. I'd played here against Argentina and Portugal but not particularly well.

"For a time there was space, but now I find that I have to play on my own because I always have a player marking me. I'm coping with it - but that is causing difficulties for my game."

The gifted Brazilian has no plans to turn his back on City and is hopeful Sven Goran Eriksson can add some further class to his squad.

"The new signings [Nery] Castillo and Benjani are important," he added. "The strength of those players helps when things are tough.

"I want to be here for the next seven or eight years and then I'll go back to Brazil to finish my career with Santos."