 Despite rumours of Elong leaving to either Spartak Moscow or Esteghlal in the summer of 2007 Elong remained at Persepolis for the 2007–08 season and has emerged as a crucial player for the team and even told IRIB television that he has no willingness to play abroad .His speech saying "I am loving Tehran, and I can not see myself anywhere else within the next 6 years at least.