Moyes: I'd take Lescott back

Lyndon Lloyd , 30 November, 18comments | Jump to most recent

David Moyes has indicated that he bears no ill will from Joleon Lescott's controversial departure for Manchester City three years ago by suggesting that he would love to bring the 30-year-old back to Goodison Park if he were available.

Lescott was a regular in Roberto Mancini's title-winning side last season but has now lost his first-team place at the Etihad Stadium leading to speculation that he could be loaned out in January.

While the Everton boss was obviously disappointed to lose the former Wolves man, he understood the size of the opportunity that a move to City represented for Lescott and Everton, of course, benefited by making a sizeable profit with his sale.

“If Joleon wanted to come back — if I thought we needed him — I'd be delighted to have him back," Moyes is quoted in a number of newspapers.

"I've not thought about it but if he was available then I think he'd be someone I would maybe show an interest in.

“When Joleon left, Everton were in a different place to where we are now," he continued. "So I can understand why he wanted to go, there was a big project going on at Manchester City. It was still disappointing for me.”

Though this will no doubt be read by some as a statement of intent, there is no indication that Everton are in the market for a veteran central defender — the key phrase from Moyes being "I've not thought about it but if I thought we needed him".

Any move by the Blues for Lescott would be restricted to a loan as Moyes insists there will be no funds for transfers when the window opens and it's not clear he would feel the need for another 30+ defender unless there is some substance to rumours that John Heitinga could move on in the New Year.

Quotes or other material sourced from The Telegraph

Reader Comments (18)

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Franny Porter
1 Posted 30/11/2012 at 23:16:08

I'd have him back. Even though he left under a cloud, he'd be a better option now than the ageing Distin or inconsistent Heitinga.

Sam Hoare
2 Posted 30/11/2012 at 23:29:15

I'd take him, but no chance we could afford him wages or transfer wise. Probably end up at Arsenal or Spurs.

Ben Jones
3 Posted 30/11/2012 at 23:32:08

I'd snap him up, his partnership with Jagielka was brilliant.

Gareth Fieldstead
4 Posted 01/12/2012 at 00:03:53

Interesting that you mention at the end that we will only be in a position to loan players due to lack of funds, yet Moyes has refused to discuss his future until the end of January to establish the clubs ambition. It would be nice if he is genuine and demands backing or he goes rather than just a ploy to improve his salary again.

Patrick Murphy
5 Posted 01/12/2012 at 00:44:22

The only worry I have about this is that many players in the City team are England Internationals and Baines would be more suited to them than United. It's probably paranoid of me but Lescott can play LB as well as CH.

Ben Jones
6 Posted 01/12/2012 at 01:27:32

They have Kolarov and Clichy as well Patrick, 3 players fighting for one position seems a bit much.

Anto Byrne
7 Posted 01/12/2012 at 06:38:53

I take it Duffy is not good enough? By all means bring back a mercenary footballer, and at the same time what about a loan deal for Jack? — he may as well rot in our reserves and warm the bench if needed.

Phil Sammon
8 Posted 01/12/2012 at 07:24:33

Plus if it's City after him, we can add a zero to his price tag.

Mark Tanton
9 Posted 01/12/2012 at 09:06:01

I'd love to have him back. On another note, how have we got no money whatsoever? We seem to have sleepwalked into accepting this rather grubby disclosure in recent weeks - we surely all though there would be some in January this time around?

GJ Butler
10 Posted 01/12/2012 at 09:08:50

Thought we were in for that left-footed Norwegian centre-half?

Paul Ellam
11 Posted 01/12/2012 at 07:00:43

If we sign this Forren fella, I would say no, but if we don't, I would say get him in on loan.

Tom Dodds
12 Posted 01/12/2012 at 13:01:33

Has anyone else noticed that fFellaini has just made a statement saying his best position is in defence?!!

Commentators adjudged this remark with the fact that the CL clubs are armed to the teeth with attackers, so he might be hinting at possible suitors to envisage him in their teams in defensive roles... Coupled all of a sudden with this recent Lescott flury of 'loan activity – Everton'... hmm.

John Crook
13 Posted 01/12/2012 at 14:45:08

The return of Lescott could also have a slighty commercial benefit and increased media coverage. EFC would have Baines, Jagielka and Lescott who are now pretty much guaranteed England starters (I know Baines has so far mainly been deputising for the injured Cole but I think Baines has overtaken him now.

So England's first choice back 4 would contain 3 of EFC's back 4. And more importantly, as stated above, the Jagielka-Lescott pairing was the most solid pairing we have had in many years and Lescott gets you 5 or 6 goals a year. Hope he comes back!

James Flynn
14 Posted 01/12/2012 at 22:06:55

As long as his playing time isn't diminishing for good reason.

Steven Telford
15 Posted 02/12/2012 at 09:29:39

Tom, I don’t know what commentators jumped on that remark, but it seems a pretty desperate chain of thought to me. I think he values himself a bit more than that.

Eric Myles
16 Posted 02/12/2012 at 09:45:55

Tom (#142): "Has anyone else noticed that Fellaini has just made a statement saying his best position is in defence?!!" — So why has he been so crap there in the last seasons with us?

Since he's started playing more forward this season he's been a revelation and been our most important player, rather than our most impotent.

Paul Olsen
17 Posted 02/12/2012 at 10:33:42

Crap?

Eric Myles. Nah, that´s just too silly.

Kevin Day
18 Posted 02/12/2012 at 16:02:22

I'd have him back in a flash! Doesn't matter how he left, our defence was mean with him in it, that would allow us to sell JH for much needed funds, we desperately need another striker to push Jelavic, we need to think of the future, not the past.

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