Joleon Lescott

TX Bill · August 12, 2009

Azzbot said:
It's not just a case of he asked to go, we said no. It's the way he's gone about it all.

Think about it, we basically brought him in, now he's got too big for his boots and he wants out at the first sniff. And the business with the "Sell me or I wont play", he couldn't be more ungrateful if he tried. If he had an ounce of professionalism in him, he would have respected that decision.

Where did Lescott say "Sell me or I won't play." ??

kenada_blue · August 12, 2009

TX Bill said:
Fair enough.

I hope our supporters rise above that but I'm afraid that they won't.

Wont happen mate. He'll get both barrels. We're a very unforgiving bunch. It took many about 3 years to get over Rooney, and some still get angry over it now.

TX Bill · August 12, 2009

kenada_blue said:
Wont happen mate. He'll get both barrels. We're a very unforgiving bunch. It took many about 3 years to get over Rooney, and some still get angry over it now.

Too bad.

Rooney I understood however.

Lescott, not so much but if that's the way it's gonna be, then so be it. I just think it would be very counterproductive in terms of how the team might perform.

Lao · August 12, 2009

TX Bill said:
Wow.

237 pages of a wide range of opinions.

I don't think there's much I can say that hasn't been said already but just a few thoughts crossed my mind.

1) Are we sure that he just handed in the request in the last day or two or had he done it a week or two ago?

2) I agree we should have put an absolutely stupid price tag on him and told City, "Here it is, take it or leave it but it isn't up for negotiation."

3) The comments about this being not unlike the Barry saga last year come to mind. Did Barry get booed mercifully from the Villa supporters? I don't think he did. I don't think it makes good sense to boo Lescott either. In fact, it would be just plain stupid.

4) I'm getting a real laugh about how "we made Joleon Lescott the player he is" and "he wouldn't be in the England squad without us." Really? Are we absolutely sure of that? No, we aren't. He could have achieved what he has with another club so to put it all down to Everton is again, just plain stupid.

5) Some of you better get used to the fact that the word "loyalty" means nothing in football. Sure, there are some "unwritten" rules like Everton players not going to play for Liverpool and vice versa. But when a player has the opportunity to double/triple his wages at another club, he'd be an absolute fool not to take it. Oh, and don't trot out the old line of "What, 40k a week isn't enough?" or "How many cars does he need?" It's not about that. Everyone is trying to improve their lot in life. Some of you think that footballers need to be the exception. Well unfortunately, that isn't the real world now is it?

6) Yeah sure, this could have been handled better by all parties but I will say that so far, Moyes is BLAMELESS in my eyes. He said he's not going to sell on more times that I can count (and yes, we actually have QUOTES from Moyes stating this very thing). Moyes isn't gonna back down now. Count on it.

7) And lastly, you can count on Lescott being paired up with Joey in the back against Arsenal and until he's sold, he's an Everton player. I'd expect the "supporters" to back the entire team come Saturday, Lescott included.

Wind your necks in. We hold the cards here, not Manchester City and not Lescott. Nothing is going to happen without Moyes' say so. If we sell him, we're gonna get what we think is fair value.

In my mind, that price just went up to 25M + Richards. Take it or leave it City.

Great post, but I am concerned that the board may eventually be tempted by the money regardless of what Moyes says. If Davey digs his heels in, but Joleon still goes, it would make him look a fool after his consistent stance. Moyes may follow pretty soon after.

Azzbot · August 12, 2009

TX Bill said:
Where did Lescott say "Sell me or I won't play." ??

His agent has been on talksport and said he's going on strike if he doesn't get sold (y)

kenada_blue · August 12, 2009

TX Bill said:
Where did Lescott say "Sell me or I won't play." ??

The Mirror newspaper said he could go on strike (which would just cost Lescott personally in fines). But apparantly his agent was on Talksport saying he'd not turn up if he didnt get the move....

Which, after doing a bit of reading up on handing a transfer request, is a bit bullshit because he's employed by the club and under contract to play.

TX Bill · August 12, 2009

I wonder how much of this is down to his agent and how much is down to Lescott.

I'm guessing more by his agent.

Well if he goes on strike, it'll cost him:

1) Weekly wages while he doesn't play.
2) England chances shot
3) Fitness shot.

His agent ought to keep his mouth shut as again, we hold the cards, not him or City.

Azzbot · August 12, 2009

His agent's seeing £££££££

£2.5million pay off at least if the deal goes through.

TX Bill · August 12, 2009

You know, a lot of this crap would be eliminated if agents could no longer get any part of transfer fees.

Won't happen but there you go.

Tommy · August 12, 2009

I reckon and hope that any deal that does happen, Jo is involved.

Azzbot · August 12, 2009

TX Bill said:
You know, a lot of this crap would be eliminated if agents could no longer get any part of transfer fees.

Won't happen but there you go.

Definitely...why are they even entitled to 10%. That's an absolutely ridiculous rule.

Half of the agents are complete scum of the Earth anyway.

TX Bill · August 12, 2009

Azzbot said:
Definitely...why are they even entitled to 10%. That's an absolutely ridiculous rule.

Half of the agents are complete scum of the Earth anyway.

I'd put it this way:

"98% of all football agents give the rest of them a bad name."

kenada_blue · August 12, 2009

Lao said:
Great post, but I am concerned that the board may eventually be tempted by the money regardless of what Moyes says. If Davey digs his heels in, but Joleon still goes, it would make him look a fool after his consistent stance. Moyes may follow pretty soon after.

I dont think it would make him look like a fool IMO. I think he'd go out on the defence saying that clubs cant compete and keep hold of players against that sort of money, he tried all he could and fought tooth and nail (which he has done really) to keep hold of him. But at the end of the day, if a player wants more money, is going to perform below par cos his heart isnt in it, and make a show of himself to the fans then there's nothing he can do.

The press would love all that and he'd have most people on his side.

But I do agree Moyes could bottle it and move because he's had enough. How many times can you build a sandcastle before some tramp kicks it down sort of thing