The Mail Bag
So... Today's the Day for Lescott?
Comments (31)
Just been reading the BBC's Gossip Column, and according to the Sun (hack....spit) Everton have 'reluctantly' agreed a £22m deal plus add-ons for Joleon, under possibly the Worlds Worst Punned Headline Ever, "We've Finally Cott Our Man".
They claim he could even possibly be unveiled today at the Eastlands Open Day.
If this is true I personally think this is a good deal, but ONLY if Moyes is allowed to pump back all of the money into team rebuilding, but I fear that won't be the case.
Lee Smith, Posted 06/08/2009 at 05:54:06
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Stephen Sullivan
2 Posted 06/08/2009 at 14:55:55
2 Posted 06/08/2009 at 14:55:55
I agree, £22million for Lescott is great business. However, problem is the affect this might have on team morale and the message it sends out to the other players, not to mention us fans.
I think Moyes will/needs to/MUST buy a star name within a coupe of days to offset some of the negativity that otherwise will build and build. He also need to spend all of the Lescott cash and a few million more to prove we are not perceived as a selling club.
Dan McKie
3 Posted 06/08/2009 at 14:57:09
3 Posted 06/08/2009 at 14:57:09
Richard, you say plenty of media outlets, but if you ever read ’what the papers say’ on the official site, often one or more of the daily rags have the same story word for word. Nothing official yet, and £22 million is a good price, shame if he did go, but Moyes could do well with that money! Also, as much as I rate Lescott, others seem to over-rate him. For Everton, he and Yobo look far better plays with Jags screaming down there lugholes telling them what to do, and whats going on (just like Gallas did with Toure)! The hardest thing to replace about Lescott will be the balance he brought to the defence with being left footed.
Jason Broome
4 Posted 06/08/2009 at 15:05:57
4 Posted 06/08/2009 at 15:05:57
I fear Moyes will only get £20 Million to spend this year funded by the Lescott transfer.
Similar thing happened last year with Fellaini and the McFadden/Johnson return.
I believe the television money is in reserve for the new stadium. If not... we are in serious financial trouble!
Similar thing happened last year with Fellaini and the McFadden/Johnson return.
I believe the television money is in reserve for the new stadium. If not... we are in serious financial trouble!
Tony Waring
5 Posted 06/08/2009 at 06:20:39
5 Posted 06/08/2009 at 06:20:39
If, as seems likely, we lose Lescott to Man City what do fans think about Taylor of the barcodes as a replacement ? He would surely prefer to be in the Premier League and Europe!
Ciarán McGlone
6 Posted 06/08/2009 at 15:23:44
6 Posted 06/08/2009 at 15:23:44
I think people should really stop reading, or at the very least ,stop believing - anything written in the sun.
Garry Martin
7 Posted 06/08/2009 at 15:29:23
7 Posted 06/08/2009 at 15:29:23
As much as I think that this a good deal, I keep thinking what a bigger hole this will make in our defence.
Jags injured, Hibbert is’nt the best defender and, Rodwell not ready for his ultimate position yet.
I worry that although a deal on paper may sound good, if, at the end of the season you are struugling how much of a good deal will it be then.
Do we really think Senderos is a compatent replacement ? - no he is’nt.
Therefore, on reflection, we could rue the day that we let Lescott go. !!
Jags injured, Hibbert is’nt the best defender and, Rodwell not ready for his ultimate position yet.
I worry that although a deal on paper may sound good, if, at the end of the season you are struugling how much of a good deal will it be then.
Do we really think Senderos is a compatent replacement ? - no he is’nt.
Therefore, on reflection, we could rue the day that we let Lescott go. !!
Duncan McDine
8 Posted 06/08/2009 at 15:33:14
8 Posted 06/08/2009 at 15:33:14
Yep, Ciarán is right... the Sun constantly word their stories to make you beleive the transfer is as good as done. I still think this will drag on a bit longer.
If we’re going to sell him though, it may as well happen now... we need to replace him instantly with a very strong CB.
If we’re going to sell him though, it may as well happen now... we need to replace him instantly with a very strong CB.
Matthew Tait
9 Posted 06/08/2009 at 15:40:50
9 Posted 06/08/2009 at 15:40:50
Garry - the club have claimed that Senderos (who, of course, we haven’t actually signed yet) is not Lescott’s replacement. He’s cover for Jags’ and Yobo’s absences.
Whether you believe that or not, it is true that we will need quality defensive cover when (or, ha, if) Lescott leaves.
Ideally it will be an established top-drawer starter for a good price, but I think given the need to improve the team in other areas (i.e. the wing) it’s more likely Moyes will try to get another good young CB that is ready to play in the first team but needs to develop and isn’t too expensive (ie another Lescott/Jags/Yobo).
One of my concerns is that, with Lescott gone, we’ve not only lost an excellent starting CB, but we’ve lost excellent cover at left back. Unless we are prepared to accept Phil Neville as our second choice left back, we’ll need more cover there, which (unless it’s a loan/bosman) further depletes the transfer and wage budgets.
Whether you believe that or not, it is true that we will need quality defensive cover when (or, ha, if) Lescott leaves.
Ideally it will be an established top-drawer starter for a good price, but I think given the need to improve the team in other areas (i.e. the wing) it’s more likely Moyes will try to get another good young CB that is ready to play in the first team but needs to develop and isn’t too expensive (ie another Lescott/Jags/Yobo).
One of my concerns is that, with Lescott gone, we’ve not only lost an excellent starting CB, but we’ve lost excellent cover at left back. Unless we are prepared to accept Phil Neville as our second choice left back, we’ll need more cover there, which (unless it’s a loan/bosman) further depletes the transfer and wage budgets.
Richard Murray
10 Posted 06/08/2009 at 15:43:25
10 Posted 06/08/2009 at 15:43:25
Is it really a good deal?
Say he goes and we get 22mil.
We need to buy a left back and centre back to replace him - who are we going to buy who will be as good as him at centre back? And as good as him at left back? How much will that cost? Not to mention the fact it could unsettle the squad, we’ll be losing 5-10 goals a season, it will change our image to potential transfer targets etc.
And as people have mentioned, who’s to say all this money will be pumped back into the squad?
After we’ve got replacements in for him, of his quality (and who’s to say this is certain), how much money will actually be left over to improve the team? Not a lot, I don’t imagine.
Put it this way, I’d be very surprised if come Sep 1st our squad will look stronger without Lescott than with him.
To me, that’s a bad deal.
Say he goes and we get 22mil.
We need to buy a left back and centre back to replace him - who are we going to buy who will be as good as him at centre back? And as good as him at left back? How much will that cost? Not to mention the fact it could unsettle the squad, we’ll be losing 5-10 goals a season, it will change our image to potential transfer targets etc.
And as people have mentioned, who’s to say all this money will be pumped back into the squad?
After we’ve got replacements in for him, of his quality (and who’s to say this is certain), how much money will actually be left over to improve the team? Not a lot, I don’t imagine.
Put it this way, I’d be very surprised if come Sep 1st our squad will look stronger without Lescott than with him.
To me, that’s a bad deal.
Alan Bond
11 Posted 06/08/2009 at 16:03:41
11 Posted 06/08/2009 at 16:03:41
Michael Ball, free transfer
Philipe Senderos £5 million
Steven Defour £12 million
Rasmus Elm £4 million
Philipe Senderos £5 million
Steven Defour £12 million
Rasmus Elm £4 million
Andy Mack
12 Posted 06/08/2009 at 16:05:53
12 Posted 06/08/2009 at 16:05:53
If it does indeed happen, the current delay is probably something to do with us being useless at wrapping up deals swiftly, if Lescott has indeed been granted permission to move, or has had a medical, or has agreed personal terms it’d be on the grounds that we sign replacements before the transfer is officially announced - otherwise every player we enquire about will suddenly cost double what they were yesterday becaus we’d have money in the bank and time against us.
What gets me though and makes me think the reports are wide of the mark, if we are selling Lescott why are only ManC interested? He’s one of the best CB in the league. Kenwrights phone should be ringing from all quarters.
What gets me though and makes me think the reports are wide of the mark, if we are selling Lescott why are only ManC interested? He’s one of the best CB in the league. Kenwrights phone should be ringing from all quarters.
Phil Bellis
13 Posted 06/08/2009 at 16:13:08
13 Posted 06/08/2009 at 16:13:08
Absolute bollocks
I have it on the best authority that Richard Dodd (’he gets the nod’ ) says different
I have it on the best authority that Richard Dodd (’he gets the nod’ ) says different
Richard Murray
14 Posted 06/08/2009 at 16:26:27
14 Posted 06/08/2009 at 16:26:27
Alan,
Ball and Senderos would be significant step backs, in my opinion, and would cost more in wages than keeping Lescott. Besides, if Senderos is cover for Jagielka, as we’ve been to led to believe, Moyes would be looking for an additional centre back as well (which, to be frank, with the ACoN we will need).
I like the look of both Defour and Elm, but I imagine both will cost more than you think (hasn’t the Liege chairman already said £12.5mil isn’t enough for Defour?) Also, is Defour’s central midfield position really the area of the team we should be heaving investing in?
I don’t think so.
Ball and Senderos would be significant step backs, in my opinion, and would cost more in wages than keeping Lescott. Besides, if Senderos is cover for Jagielka, as we’ve been to led to believe, Moyes would be looking for an additional centre back as well (which, to be frank, with the ACoN we will need).
I like the look of both Defour and Elm, but I imagine both will cost more than you think (hasn’t the Liege chairman already said £12.5mil isn’t enough for Defour?) Also, is Defour’s central midfield position really the area of the team we should be heaving investing in?
I don’t think so.
Matthew Tait
15 Posted 06/08/2009 at 16:49:38
15 Posted 06/08/2009 at 16:49:38
Michael Ball? The same 31 year old Michael Ball, with wrecked knees, currently recovering from another knee operation and out until ~September?
I don’t think so, thanks... Maybe on a pay-as-you-play deal, but even then we’ll probably need additional cover for Bally’s cover for Baines, so why bother?
But given our penchant for nostalgia signings, it’s probably not out of the question.
I don’t think so, thanks... Maybe on a pay-as-you-play deal, but even then we’ll probably need additional cover for Bally’s cover for Baines, so why bother?
But given our penchant for nostalgia signings, it’s probably not out of the question.
John Martin
16 Posted 06/08/2009 at 17:08:57
16 Posted 06/08/2009 at 17:08:57
My guess is the deal will eventually go through a few days before deadline. Then we’ll have to listent to the club say we did try and spend the money but it was too late so we’ll do business in january. Then come january the old chesnut of club not willing to sell players will come out and by the time next summer comes around the money will have gone again.
Ian Tunstead
17 Posted 06/08/2009 at 18:21:09
17 Posted 06/08/2009 at 18:21:09
I doubt the story is true an if it was it would be a poor deal for us considering the money Madrid are throwing around.
We are talking about probably the best LB in the League and the 3rd best English CB in the league. He is the top goal scoring defender in the league who is top of the fantasy football charts every season. Add to this we already need cover and Jags is out until Christmas as well as Yobo going to the African Nations about that time plus we would have to pay Wolves some of the fee and City are one of our nearest rivals. They are gonna have to fork out a lot more than £22M
If Ferdinand was £30M nearly 10 years ago then with the prices of players now plus it's the richest club in the word we are dealing with, £30m has to be the price. It's not even as if he's injury-prone like Woodgate who went for £16M about 5 years ago.
We are talking about probably the best LB in the League and the 3rd best English CB in the league. He is the top goal scoring defender in the league who is top of the fantasy football charts every season. Add to this we already need cover and Jags is out until Christmas as well as Yobo going to the African Nations about that time plus we would have to pay Wolves some of the fee and City are one of our nearest rivals. They are gonna have to fork out a lot more than £22M
If Ferdinand was £30M nearly 10 years ago then with the prices of players now plus it's the richest club in the word we are dealing with, £30m has to be the price. It's not even as if he's injury-prone like Woodgate who went for £16M about 5 years ago.
Steve Sweeney
18 Posted 06/08/2009 at 18:40:45
18 Posted 06/08/2009 at 18:40:45
I posted on here in May, and was laughed at then, Lescott will go to city, BK is still the biggest Bullshitter and fork tongue speaker in football, I just wish we were a liitle more competant when dealing with transfers. We were mugged over Rooney and it looks like the slimey Arabs will do the same.
BK is still fucking useless. I just wish he would F>>> Off.
BK is still fucking useless. I just wish he would F>>> Off.
Neil Humphrey
19 Posted 06/08/2009 at 18:53:24
19 Posted 06/08/2009 at 18:53:24
As time wears on the ’deal is done’ merchants are looking increasingly stupid. If Lescott wanted to go he would have handed in a transfer request by now, especially after two bids by Shiteh (and dont anyone dare come back with that horseshit ’verbal’ transfer request from the other day - yet more spin to sell papers).
Mike Oates
20 Posted 06/08/2009 at 19:24:26
20 Posted 06/08/2009 at 19:24:26
I’m sure any Senderos transfer wont be done until after we’ve played Arsenal on the season opener.
Wouldn’t look too good for Wenger if he played a blinder and scored the winner.
Wouldn’t look too good for Wenger if he played a blinder and scored the winner.
Tony Williams
21 Posted 06/08/2009 at 20:55:46
21 Posted 06/08/2009 at 20:55:46
So! Are the dozy twats at the Scum going to print a retraction/apology for being shit at the news?
Is there a legal standpoint to be taken for printing absolute bollocks?
Is there a legal standpoint to be taken for printing absolute bollocks?
Alan Clarke
22 Posted 06/08/2009 at 21:53:49
22 Posted 06/08/2009 at 21:53:49
Someone had made the point in another thread about City apparently giving Everton a deadline of today to agree to the sale of Lescott. The Sun have picked up on that and claimed today’s the day.
I can’t see why City would give a deadline though. I think Lescott has now forced Everton to the negotiating table and it’s all about extracting the best deal. We do hold all the cards. We’re not in a position where we have to sell him, he has 3 years left on his contract and he won’t want to be training with the youth team during world cup year. Therefore City should pay up or fuck off.
I can’t see why City would give a deadline though. I think Lescott has now forced Everton to the negotiating table and it’s all about extracting the best deal. We do hold all the cards. We’re not in a position where we have to sell him, he has 3 years left on his contract and he won’t want to be training with the youth team during world cup year. Therefore City should pay up or fuck off.
Nick Wall
23 Posted 06/08/2009 at 22:42:59
23 Posted 06/08/2009 at 22:42:59
So it was all lies and invention - http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport-news/football-news/2009/08/06/joleon-lescott-still-set-for-everton-fc-friendly-with-malaga-55578-24337241/ . Really despicable that the paper should do Hughes’s dirty work like that, with a story that Lescott had signed, with the aim of spreading panic and uncertainty around Goodison. Every blue fan should write to the Sun now to register their disgust.
James Greem
24 Posted 07/08/2009 at 00:58:36
24 Posted 07/08/2009 at 00:58:36
Re: Nick Wall.
I’m already disgusted with the Sun and wouldn’t waste a minute of my time in sending them an email.
I’ve stopped reading all rags and only check BBC Sport website once or twice a day.
I’m already disgusted with the Sun and wouldn’t waste a minute of my time in sending them an email.
I’ve stopped reading all rags and only check BBC Sport website once or twice a day.
Caio Jenks
25 Posted 07/08/2009 at 01:46:11
25 Posted 07/08/2009 at 01:46:11
I’d hate to see Lescott go, but on the other hand, does anyone else think that maybe, just maybe, Lescott had a fluke great season-long performance last year, and he may not be as good as everyone thinks? With the combination of one great season with Everton and his regular inclusion in England’s national team, maybe his head has swelled a bit, and he’ll have a Premier League "sophomore slump" this season.
I’m just a dumb American with a relatively low football IQ, but I don’t think Lescott's going to come close to having a season like he did last year. So I say, cash in on him now, but you better spend that money on a couple quality players (not Senderos) or you’re going to send a bad message to the current players and affect squad morale.
Dave Wilson
26 Posted 07/08/2009 at 05:35:02
26 Posted 07/08/2009 at 05:35:02
The Sun should apologise for being in circulation And Evertonians who read it should hang their heads
Garry Martin
27 Posted 07/08/2009 at 08:27:48
27 Posted 07/08/2009 at 08:27:48
Rumour has it around Finch Farm that, a number of key players are up in arms at the potential selling of Lescott. Makes them look idiots having committed to long-term contracts and viewed as a backward step.
May be some truth in this one!
Tony Williams
28 Posted 07/08/2009 at 09:08:26
28 Posted 07/08/2009 at 09:08:26
"Rumour has it" ......(looks to the sky, sighs and shakes his head)
Alan Clarke
29 Posted 07/08/2009 at 09:33:52
29 Posted 07/08/2009 at 09:33:52
The reaction of the other players, I imagine, will depend on how any potential income from the Lescott sale is spent. If Moyes doesn’t get the money to spend and bring in any new recruitments then I imagine the players would be up in arms.
Mike Coates
30 Posted 07/08/2009 at 09:51:19
30 Posted 07/08/2009 at 09:51:19
Why are the papers telling us what we’re gunna do?
Backlash from supporters.
Is there really any truth in Lescott asking to leave? Is there any truth in any paper?
I think its all bogus, but yeah, please correct me. Prove me wrong.
Good luck tonite Lescott.. Number 5!! :)
Backlash from supporters.
Is there really any truth in Lescott asking to leave? Is there any truth in any paper?
I think its all bogus, but yeah, please correct me. Prove me wrong.
Good luck tonite Lescott.. Number 5!! :)
Brian Williams
31 Posted 08/08/2009 at 00:28:11
31 Posted 08/08/2009 at 00:28:11
I’ve quoted from day one what David Moyes and Bill Kenwright had previoulsy said about players being sold. I’ve also said that Moyes is a very principled person who won’t bend due to pressure or popular belief.
Now David Moyes has said it AGAIN on Sky TV, for the whole world to see!
Is anybody else apart from me going to finally believe him??????
Now David Moyes has said it AGAIN on Sky TV, for the whole world to see!
Is anybody else apart from me going to finally believe him??????
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1 Posted 06/08/2009 at 08:31:58
This could turn out to be true but when you carefully read the stories, things seem to unravel pretty quickly. All of the stories, including the Daily Telegraph and a bunch of bullshit websites that seem to have sprung up to flog Google ads while passing off other people’s stories as their own, link back to a story in The Sun, which starts with the words: “MANCHESTER CITY expect to finally land Everton centre-back Joleon Lescott today.”
So the story comes from Man City sources not Everton, Lescott himself or his agent. Which means it can only be a blatant, and possibly illegal, attempt to destabilise the player.
This isn’t to say that Lescott will not leave but Man City are clearly using every tactic in the book to undermine our efforts to keep him, which is being perpetuated by a football media desperate for stories to fill endless web pages of regurgitated speculation.
Man City are clearly every bit the bunch of tossers we feared they might be – we won’t forget.