Everton stick by Lescott stance

July 16, 2009

Joleon Lescott

EVERTON boss David Moyes is prepared to fight to keep City target Joleon Lescott at Goodison Park.

The defender has been repeatedly linked with the big-spending Blues this summer, with a fee upwards of £20million being suggested.

It has also been claimed Lescott, who lives in the Manchester area, would be receptive to such a move.

But Moyes assured shareholders at a forum at Goodison on Wednesday night that none of his players will be available in the transfer market this summer.

"I have already said there will be no players sold at Everton and I do not feel I need to say any more," said the Scot.

"The board have never sold a player from me, it will only be at my discretion. I said it at the end of the season and I do not need to say any more."

Chairman Bill Kenwright supported his manager, adding: "There is no pressure on David to sell anyone. Any decisions are his and his alone."

Everton also remain confident they will land Sheffield United youngster Kyle Naughton, with negotiations still taking place.

Kenwright explained: "The situation is ongoing. But Naughton has not had a medical and has not signed for the club, although we believed we had agreed a fee with Sheffield United before last weekend."

Do you think City will get Lescott? Have your say.

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Bob the Baker, Preston (16/07/2009 at 10:12)

Come on fella,come to City.....you know it makes sense.

Eric, still Dutch (16/07/2009 at 10:12)

Similar to the Terry-saga. City wants to buy, Everton don't wanna sell, so it's up to the player to make a statement he wants to come or not. I believe Everton is in no need to sell, I believe Moyes and Kenwright don't want to sell this particular player, but the players' opinion does count, despite the contract. That's the way it is in the football-world. As for Lescott, I would like him to come as the man was class during the last few seasons.

AlexC83, Manchester (16/07/2009 at 10:18)

If we can't get terry, for me it's difficult to pick out an alternative leader that we could bring in (cos they've got to be fluent in english already so it's difficult to pick out a player from abroad). I'd just bring in Sol Campbell especially cos I think he's out of contract isn't he?!

Then (possibly) bring in a luisao or another tall centre back: if we can't bring in terry who ticks every box then looking at the defence we're currently lacking height and experience.

The Wicker Man, Stuck in the Faroes (16/07/2009 at 10:30)

Joleon will submit a transfer request imminently.

John Gidman's curly perm, Manchester (16/07/2009 at 10:30)

I presume MH has other irons in the fire with regards to defensive targets. I would test the resolve of Everton by making an official bid of £20 million and see what happens. If the player is receptive to a move then this may force the issue. With regards to JT i would take the same stance as the ETO'O saga and move onto other targets.

Surely when the deal for JO was sorted we talked about LESCOTT..... As usual MOYES is playing hard ball.

The defensive situation needs to be resolved asap to allow time to bond together as a unit which is much more important than any other position on the field. JT would be a huge signing but i dont think it's likely to happen. IMO i'd move for Bruno ALVES and LESCOTT.

AlexC83, Manchester (16/07/2009 at 10:35)

Oh or a cheeky Carvalho bid as I suggested on the Terry thread...

George Roper (16/07/2009 at 10:42)

I hope this is just noise to force Lescott to submit a formal transfer request and thereby forego any loyalty bonus. You would have thought that City would not have let Jo go to Everton unless there was something coming the other way.

George Roper (16/07/2009 at 10:43)

Stop messing about and go and get Bruno Alves or Luisao

fowler, wythenshawe (16/07/2009 at 10:44)

i think we should giv TBH another chance to show us how bad he really is lol

Shaun, At My Desk (16/07/2009 at 10:44)

"upwards of 20 million?! Is he really that good? Obviously he'd have less qualms handing in a transfer request than "Mr.Chelsea",but with Moyes running intereference this could still drag on till the January window.
I know it's obvious,and that Hughes,Cooke,and the board must be acutely aware of it,BUT we really do need to sort the defence out ASAP.Time to move on to the alternatives.

Blue Moon..., Manchester (16/07/2009 at 10:54)

The Wicker Man, Stuck in the Faroes

wheres this from?

Bobcat44, Withington M20 (16/07/2009 at 10:54)

This for me would be an excellent signing, I hope City can get him.

As for Terry, Adebayor.....am not sure about either, reports in the Mail suggest Adebayors' reps have been hawking him to United....as for Terry he was wearing the Chelsea strip yesterday and saying nothing. Hardly the actions of men with intent.

I hope City can resolve these issues quickly or move on to targets that want to be involved in the Blue Revolution.

jackblue, Prescot (16/07/2009 at 11:00)

At least he will not have to move when we sign Lescott, he already lives in Manchester.

Jack Thorley Trafford, Timperley (16/07/2009 at 11:23)

We may have to settle for a stop gap defensive signing if Lescott does not ask for a transfer this would bring players like Lucio,Upson,Toure or even Hangeland into the picture.

Ave It! (16/07/2009 at 11:39)

I still believe that Bojinov will go to West Ham on loan as a sweetner to us agreeing a permnaent deal for Upson.

Drew Peacock (16/07/2009 at 11:44)

Offer Dunne and 15 mil. The get cover for a centre half, i think Dunne will be up for it and he doesn't need to more his family! Every ones a winner!

Chapman (16/07/2009 at 11:46)

Everton have just turned over £80Million so they have no need to sell.
Kenwright and Moyes are a good team and the club is making excellent progress.
The last thing they want to do is sell their best players as Moyes knows it will take the same ,or more, money to replace them.

Kippax Lover, Failswerf, Manchester (16/07/2009 at 12:02)

Lucio has gone to Inter, so we better get moving!!

The Original Blue John, London (16/07/2009 at 13:21)

Need to get a shift on now. The King of the Chavs is clearly staying at Chelsea, and unless Lescott hands in a transfer request there ain't no way he's leaving either. One wonders why we haven't put a bid in yet, so Lescott can at least state publicly whether he'd like to talk to us or not. Lucio's gone to Inter and Sky have just announced that Dunne will be captain again next season. Scares me!
With the signings we've made so far, I reckon we're on a par with Spurs and Everton, squadwise, but if we're serious about a top 4 challenge then we need 3 or 4 more decent players to sign on the dotted line - 2 centre halves (Hangeland, Agger, Woodgate, Upson, Luisao, even Distin would do), another forward (Fabiano still does it for me, especially if we've binned Eto'o and are getting mucked about by Adebayor) and a hard working left sided player (Ashley Young)? Forget the current endless radio debate about a guaranteed top 4 spot and how it will be a disgrace if we don't get at at least a Chimps League place. The media are deliberately setting us up to fail, when what they should be doing is pondering how English football got into such a hideously biased state that one of the biggest teams in the country outside of the top 4, with consecutive top 10 finishes behind them, has to spend 200m plus, just to stand even a chance of breaking the cosy cartel up!

matthew brady (16/07/2009 at 13:24)

It a may well be that Lescott has already agreed to sign for City as part of the Jo deal - hence the lack of activity surrounding this topic. Announcement of this is probably being delayed until Everton find a suitable replacement in order to appease their fans and not hamper season ticket sales.

I think the Tevez deal was in the bag long before it was announced.

Phil Neal's Laxative, In a Shay Given wonderland (16/07/2009 at 13:32)

20 million should see Moyes' knees give way and Kenwright grab for the receipt book. Get the cheque written quick Mr Cook and bring Lezzie to God's own football club.

matthew brady (16/07/2009 at 13:33)

The Colin - Leeds, Over the hills and far away (Mancunian Reject) (16/07/2009 at 13:53)

Make Neddy the captain, the guy is a natural leader. With him in charge of defence we needn't be going for people like Terry as I reckon Ned could bring the best of of players like Richards and other similar players in the Prem.

Lets Get Down to the Nitty Gritty (the club that's got a bob or two in the kitty), Manchester (16/07/2009 at 14:51)

Lets get down to the nitty and the gritty, Lescott is coming to the big bad citeh? C'mon citeh!

PhilB65, City Forever (16/07/2009 at 15:26)

Blue John, always good to read your posts, sir. Have to say I'll be relieved if Terry doesn't roll up here. He has a persistent back problem which is a worry, plus as good a captai as he is, is he really worth all that? Carvalho has made him look a little better than he actually is IMHO. Whilst I think we should keep Dunne to fight for his place as a squad player, we must sign at least one centre half. Nedum looks quality but has a poor injury record, Micah is too inconsistent right now, and Dunney had a poor season and it would be a risk to stay as we are. Hangeland or Distin would be my preferences if Lescott cannot be prised away.

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