The international break spawned a social media phenomenon as the ‘Barclaysmen’ trend exploded in football circles.
A name handed to players who understatedly helped define the ‘Barclays’ era, a period in which the bank sponsored England’s top flight in the early noughties and mid-2010s, Barclaysmen are not the superstars of the league but players who instead invoke warm nostalgia.
Fans have debated the ultimate Barclaysmen in recent weeks, though one man deserving of that status is Elano.
The Brazilian’s time in the Premier League was short but sweet, a brief bridge between Manchester City mediocrity and the club’s rebirth as a global superpower. Signed in the summer before the Citizens’ transformative takeover backed by Abu Dhabi billions, Elano soon emerged as a fan favourite at Eastlands.
Johnson’s flick 😍
Elano’s finish 😎#GoalOfTheDay @ManCity pic.twitter.com/xTpYN3DOiv— Premier League (@premierleague) June 13, 2018
Perhaps the perfect embodiment of a Barclaysman, it’s easy to forget where Elano came from, or indeed where he went after leaving City. During his time in a blue shirt, however, the midfielder produced enough spectacular moments to ensure semi-regular remembrance in football fan conversation.
Born in Iracemápolis, Brazil, Elano started to make waves in the early 2000s with Santos, where he showed he was more than just a midfielder. A creator, his versatility was one of his biggest strengths, but it was his intelligence and technique that set him apart.
Helping his team to trophy triumphs
At Santos, Elano played a key role in their Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A victories in 2002 and 2004.
Amid a drought stretching back to 1968, Santos were far from favourites with bookmakers such as 1xBet. However, he was influential in ending the club’s wait for league success with 31 goals scored in all competitions across those two title-winning seasons.
Over three stints with Santos, Elano racked up 310 appearances and netted 66 goals.
Move to Europe
Elano made the predicted move to Europe in 2005, where he travelled the well-trodden path from South America to Shakhtar Donetsk. Several big names have swapped the Ukrainian side for the Premier League, with Elano one of the first to make a high-profile switch after impressing in Donetsk.
Manchester City came calling to sign the Brazilian for a fee of around £8m, a notable fee for the club at that stage. With a penchant for spectacular goals and set-piece expertise, it did not take long for the midfielder to make his mark. In his first season, he scored eight goals and laid on nine assists, including this fabulous free-kick hit against Newcastle.
“Electrifying from Elano” ⚡️#GoalOfTheDay @ManCity pic.twitter.com/Poid4WEJST
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 4, 2017
However, Elano’s time in the Premier League was short-lived. After the Sheikh Mansour-led takeover of the club, City spent big in their bid to reach the top. In came arrivals such as Robinho, who briefly thrived alongside his compatriot, Craig Bellamy, Roque Santa Cruz, Gareth Barry, Nigel De Jong and others.
His exit was unpopular. The frontman of a Barclaysman band that included Martin Petrov, Michael Johnson, Darius Vassell and Benjani, he was a player capable of jaw-dropping moments long before Manchester City became a destination of choice for such stars.
Squeezed out, he headed to Turkey with Galatasaray, before returning to his native Brazil to wind down his career. It was a flame that flickered briefly in blue, but one that holds a special place in the affection of the Manchester City support. A South American spark at a time their team needed one, Elano earned his Barclaysman status.
