With a performance like that it's hard to understand why Hughes doesn't play Elano

He has made just a handful of appearances for Manchester City this season, however Elano tonight proved his class as he played a leading role in Brazil's 2-0 victory against Italy at the Emirates.

Since the arrival of Mark Hughes at Eastlands last June, Elano has struggled to nail down a first team place at the club but that hasn't prevented him from continuing his terrific form at international level. The 27-year old joined City back in 2007 after leaving Shakhtar Donetsk for a fee of £8 million and he made an immediate impact.

Elano was an integral part of City's starting eleven last season, however this season it has been quite frustrating for the playmaker. It was rumoured in January that Elano may leave the Premier League to join Serie A side Lazio but that never materialised and he remains a Man City player and I think it is about time Hughes gave him a chance at City.

I was extremely impressed with Elano's all-round performance tonight. His goal was fantastic, however it was the other side of his game that impressed me most. His desire to win the ball back was outstanding and I feel Hughes would be stupid not to start him for the side's next game away to Portsmouth at the weekend. We all know what Elano is capable of and I think he could once again become a valuable asset for City if Hughes just gave him some regular first team football.