Brazilian Elano has told Manchester City boss Mark Hughes to give Robinho a roaming role. Fellow striker Elano says to get the best out of his countryman Britain's record signing must be given free rein.

"The first thing I told the manager was that nobody knows him better than me," said Elano in an interview posted on Robinho's official website.

"I have spent a lot of time in his company, both on club and international duty.

"I told him how Robinho likes to play and how he could help us. Robinho has to be free of worries, with the freedom to move around the pitch.

"He likes playing down the left. In his first match, he played in the middle and scored a goal (against Chelsea).

"But I know he would have helped us even more if he'd been able to play where he enjoys things most.

"I've been playing down the left, alongside Robinho. Because of the language and the understanding between us, we thought it would be better for me to play there, and also because our left-back (Javier Garrido) is Spanish.

"I am happy the manager has adopted that strategy, it will help me grow as well. With Robinho in front of me, I know I always have a good passing option."