Hughes: No Elano contract

This is interesting. Mark Hughes has said that Elano will not be offered a new deal:

Hughes said: "Elano has two more years left to run on his contract, so it isn't really a priority at the moment. There are a number of other players with less time on their contract, so they are the ones we will have to look at. Elano is not one of those players that we need to look at and discuss renegotiate terms with.

"But I have certainly been pleased with him of late and the positive impact that he has had on the team. He has been working really hard for the team and his performances have been good. He is having an impact and I am pleased about that. He is enjoying his football and playing in a good team at the moment."

Strictly speaking he's right. As Elano has another two years left on his contract, he doesn't need a new one to stay at the club. But we all know that in modern football that's not the only way in which contracts work. They are a symbol of the continued commitment of the club and the player to each other, a bit like a married couple renewing their marriage vows. Situations where a player's future is unclear, but he ends up staying with his club, tend to lead to a new contract. Not as a means of keeping him at the club, but as a recognition of the mutual decision that he will.

Given that Elano's continuing at the club has been in doubt for much of this season, a new contract would be the perfect way for Hughes to end and speculation about the player's future. But by not doing that, he leaves the door open to a possible exit in the summer.