The structuring of the £5 million fee agreed between the clubs – £2 million up front, £2 million over the next 2½ years and £1 million dependent on appearances – reflected Everton's concerns about a ruptured cruciate ligament which had prevented Lescott from making a single appearance during Wolves' top-flight campaign in 2003-04. In the event, Lescott has been ever-present. As well as his pacy, combative and versatile defending, he has demonstrated a scoring touch that is sure to see him ordered into the penalty area whenever Russia face a corner or free-kick.
Having waited until April to get off the mark for David Moyes' team, he has now collected seven goals in his last 20 matches, proving difficult to counter at set-pieces.
Lescott's fightback from a potentially career-shattering injury was not the first time he had had to rebuild his world. When only five, he was struck by a car outside his primary school in Birmingham and dragged along the road, as his mother watched in horror.
Although he needed several operations and was left with a still-visible scar on his forehead, his fearless defending for Grinham Giants in the Quinton Little League caught Derby County's attention.
