Joleon Lescott

Joleon Lescott

Lescott playing for West Bromwich Albion in 2014
Personal information
Full nameJoleon Patrick Lescott[1]
Date of birth16 August 1982[1]
Place of birthBirmingham, England
Height1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[2]
Playing positionDefender
Club information
Current team
West Bromwich Albion
Number6
Youth career
1999–2000Wolverhampton Wanderers
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2000–2006Wolverhampton Wanderers212(13)
2006–2009Everton113(14)
2009–2014Manchester City107(7)
2014–West Bromwich Albion30(1)
National team
2000England U171(0)
England U182(0)
2002England U205(0)
2002–2003England U212(0)
2007England B1(0)
2007–2013England26(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 May 2015.
† Appearances (Goals).

Joleon Patrick Lescott (born 16 August 1982) is an English professional footballer who plays for West Bromwich Albion. He plays as a centre-back, though he has played in various other positions across the defensive line, including left-back.

Born in Birmingham, Lescott is a graduate of the Wolverhampton Wanderers youth academy. He made his first team debut with Wolves in 2000 and he was named the supporters' Young Player of the Year two years running. He was a regular player as the club won promotion to Premier League in 2003, but missed the whole season through injury and they were relegated. He was named in the Championship team of the year for the 2005–06 season, and subsequently moved to Premier League side Everton for a total of £5 million in August 2006. He was voted player's Player of the Season by his teammates in the following two seasons. Lescott moved to Manchester City in August 2009 for a reported £22 million, and spent five seasons at the club, winning two league titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup. After his release in 2014 he joined West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer.

Internationally, Lescott represented England at various youth levels before making his first team debut in 2007 against Estonia in the Euro 2008 qualifiers. He represented the country at Euro 2012.

Early life

Lescott grew up in the Quinton area of Birmingham where he attended the Four Dwellings High School in Quinton, the area in which his mother still lives. Lescott grew up supporting Aston Villa.[3] When he was five years old, Lescott was struck by a car outside his primary school, suffering severe head injuries leaving scarring on his forehead and hairline.[4]

Club career

Wolverhampton Wanderers

His first-team debut came as a 17-year-old in the 2000–01 season against Sheffield Wednesday at Molineux on 13 August 2000. At the end of his first season, Lescott was named the Supporters' Young Player of the Year by the Wolves' fans; an award he also won in the subsequent 2001–02 season.

Lescott started to become a regular fixture in the Wolves' team. During the 2002–03 season he missed only one league match and played in each of the club's FA Cup fixtures. He was also a member of the team that defeated Sheffield United 3–0 at the Millennium Stadium to win promotion to the FA Premier League for the 2003–04 season. Lescott declared this to be the proudest moment of his career.

Despite Wolves gaining promotion, Lescott along with Matt Murray was unable to participate in the 2003–04 season due to knee surgery, preventing him from competing in the Premier League. Wolves were subsequently relegated and, upon completing his rehabilitation, Lescott returned to compete in the Championship.

In October 2005, Lescott agreed a two-and-a-half-year extension to his contract at Wolves. At the conclusion of the 2005–06 season, he was named in the Championship team of the season, voted for by his fellow professionals, and also picked up the Wolves' Player of the Year award.

Everton

Lescott playing for Everton in 2008

Lescott was sold to Everton at the start of the 2006–07 season for an immediate payment of £2 million, followed by a further £2 million paid in instalments and a final £1 million contingent on appearances.[5] The transfer was slightly delayed as Everton asked for extra medical checks to be taken on Lescott's knee following the reconstruction of the joint earlier in his career. Lescott made his Everton debut in August 2006 during a victory over Watford and his first start of the season away to Tottenham Hotspur, after Alan Stubbs injured his groin in the previous game against Blackburn Rovers. The game was Everton's first victory at White Hart Lane in two decades, and Lescott was named man of the match. Lescott started again in the next match, the 204th Merseyside derby, a 3–0 victory for Everton. Lescott's first Everton goal came in a 1–1 draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park on 2 April 2007. Lescott was voted the Players' Player of the Season 2006–07 by his teammates.[6] He also finished a very close second behind Mikel Arteta in the fans Player of the Season.

The start of the 2007–08 season saw Lescott score three goals in the first eight games of the season. He did not quite manage to continue scoring at that rate, but he ended the campaign with 10 goals in all competitions and the highest shot-to-goal ratio in the Premier League: 42.1%.[7]

On 8 May 2008, at the end of season awards, Lescott was voted Everton's Player of the Year and Players Player of the Year.[8] Prior to the final home game of the season against Newcastle, on 11 May 2008, Lescott was also awarded the Player of the Year award by the Everton Disabled Supporters Association. The EDSA labelled Lescott "Mr Consistency" for his performances over the 2007–08 season. He is also only the second Everton player to have ever been awarded the honour twice.[9]

The start of the 2007–08 season saw Lescott move to the left-back position after Joseph Yobo and Phil Jagielka's successful partnership at the centre of Everton's defence provided manager David Moyes with a selection dilemma. On 7 December 2008 Lescott played superbly against Aston Villa scoring two goals, even though Everton lost 3–2.[10]

On 25 January 2009, Lescott scored Everton's only goal – a close-range header – in the FA Cup 4th Round meeting with Liverpool. The match ended as a 1–1 draw,[11] but Everton went through by scoring the replay's only goal in extra-time on 4 February. Lescott later played in the FA Cup final for Everton on 30 May, resulting in a 2–1 defeat to Chelsea.

Following the end of the 2008–09 season, Manchester City attempted to sign Lescott, but Everton publicly rejected 2 offers from the club. On 11 August 2009, Lescott submitted a formal written transfer request, which was immediately rejected by Everton. Manager David Moyes refused a request from Lescott to be taken out of the squad for the first home game of the season, a 6–1 defeat to Arsenal. Lescott received a mixed reaction from Evertonians when the teams were announced on the PA system.

David Moyes then revealed that he had taken Lescott out of the squad for the midweek Europa league game due to 'bad attitude'. He claimed his head had been turned and that Manchester City's public pursuit of Lescott had disrupted Everton. Powerless to keep hold of an unhappy player, Lescott was sold to Manchester City for £24 million much to the anger of Evertonians who had taken Lescott to their heart. Lescott has received abuse from Evertonian's since his move, highlighted in April 2011 when Lescott played at Goodison for the first time since his move and was met with boos and anti Lescott songs from the terraces.

Manchester City

Lescott lining up for Manchester City in 2010

The ongoing saga finally came to an end when Lescott moved to Manchester City for a fee speculated to be £22 million[12][13] with Lescott signing a five-year contract with the club on 25 August 2009.[14] Lescott made his debut for City on 27 August in a 2–0 League Cup away victory over Crystal Palace[15] and scored his first City goal in a 2–2 draw with Fulham on 25 October 2009.[16] Lescott's first season and a half proved to be a frustrating time for the defender with him struggling to find the form he had shown at Everton, along with picking up a number of injuries, which included re-injuring his knee after hyper-extending it in a 3–3 away draw with Bolton Wanderers. Pundits and journalists alike felt Lescott was finding the pressure of performing after the big fee City had spent to bring him to the club difficult.[17][18] Roberto Mancini replaced Mark Hughes as manager in December 2009 and preferred Lescott after his return from injury to Kolo Touré to partner the fast improving Vincent Kompany for a few months which in this time, including an impressive 4–2 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in March 2010. With Lescott finally showing good form he would once again find himself frustrated after picking up another niggling injury, which would see him struggle to get back into the side in his preferred central defensive role for the foreseeable future.

On 28 December 2010, Lescott scored a header, City's first of the season, in the 4–0 victory over Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium, but during the January 2011 transfer window, with Lescott making few first team appearances during the first half of the 2010–11 season, there was speculation that he would be moving back to Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan, Roberto Mancini however continually insisted that Lescott was a part of his plans. In February 2011 Kolo Touré was suspended for failing a drug test, this would represent a huge opportunity for Lescott who was reinstalled as the partner of Vincent Kompany in central defence. Lescott went from strength to strength as the two formed a formidable defensive partnership. On 17 April 2011, he started and played the full 90 minutes against Manchester United in the 1–0 FA Cup semi-final victory at Wembley Stadium as City reached their first major-final since 1981. On 25 April, eight days after that win over their rivals, Lescott partnered Vincent Kompany again in an important game vs. Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park and completing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 win, also making his 30th appearance of the season for City in the process.[19][20] Lescott was part of the Manchester City team that won the FA Cup, beating Stoke City 1–0 in the final at Wembley and ending a 35-year wait for a major trophy in the process. He would also score two more headers in the final two games of the season, in a 3–0 win against Stoke three days later and also against Bolton Wanderers in a 2–0 win, as City ended the season in third position and qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time.

On 7 August 2011, in the 2011 FA Community Shield, Lescott scored in a 2–3 loss against Manchester United, this would prove to be City's last defeat on English soil until a 2–1 defeat by Chelsea on 12 December, during this time Lescott firmly established himself as a vital part of the team in defence, as City recorded 5–1 and 6–1 away victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United respectively, in which Lescott started both, and assisted a goal in the victory over United. Lescott scored an own-goal in a 1–1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield in November but continued to show strong form throughout the season. Lescott also made his Champions League début against S.S.C. Napoli, City however failed to progress past the group stages. On 22 January 2012, he scored a goal in a 3–2 win against Tottenham, giving City a 2–0 lead at the time.[21] On 12 February 2012, he scored a winning goal against boyhood club Aston Villa in a 1–0 win.

In 2014, Joleon Lescott was reportedly offered the chance to leave Manchester City with clubs such as West Ham being linked as prospective destinations, and a deal being agreed at one point.[22] However, Lescott turned down a move to 'win trophies' before seeing what happened at the end of the season.[23] Lescott fulfilled his wishes, winning the League Cup and the 2013-14 Premier League.

On 24 May 2014, Joleon Lescott was released by Manchester City.[24]

West Bromwich Albion

Despite interest from Hull City and Stoke City, on 20 June 2014 Lescott signed for West Bromwich Albion for free on a Bosman transfer, signing a two-year contract with the option of a further year. He was the first signing for the club by Alan Irvine, with whom he had previously worked at Everton, and he also knew his assistant Rob Kelly from Wolves.[25] He scored his first goal for the Baggies in a 3-2 defeat against Queens Park Rangers.[26] Following 6 clean sheets in only 10 games under new manager Tony Pulis, Lescott was praised by the fans with some calling for a call-up back into the England squad.[27]

International career

Lescott with England at UEFA Euro 2012

Lescott has represented England at Under-18, Under-20, Under-21 and England B levels. After his first season for Everton, Lescott made his England B debut against Albania at Burnley's Turf Moor on 25 May 2007, he replaced Reading's Nicky Shorey in the 73rd minute.[28]

On 3 September 2007, Lescott received a call-up to Steve McClaren's England squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers with Israel and Russia.[29] Lescott made his international senior debut against Estonia on 13 October 2007 – replacing Rio Ferdinand at half-time – with England winning 3–0. His second cap – and first start – was the Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia, which England lost 2–1. On 16 November Lescott made his second international start against Austria in a friendly, England won the game 1–0 and Lescott made a composed performance at the heart of defence.

Lescott made his first England appearance under the management of Fabio Capello on 26 March 2008 in a friendly match against France, coming on as a substitute at half time for the skipper John Terry. He made two appearances in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, but injury prevented him from being part of the squad for the finals.[30] Lescott was a regular member of the England squad during qualification for Euro 2012, and was named in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad for the tournament.[31] On 11 June 2012 he scored his first international goal for England with a header against France in England's opening game of Euro 2012.[32]

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 11 June 2012 Donbass Arena, Donetsk, Ukraine  France 1–0 1–1 UEFA Euro 2012

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 22 March 2015.
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2000–01[33] First Division 3722050——442
2001–02[34] First Division 4450000—2[lower-alpha 1]0465
2002–03[35] First Division 4414010—3[lower-alpha 1]0521
2004–05[36] Championship 4142000——434
2005–06[37] Championship 4612020——501
Total 2121310080—5023513
Everton 2006–07[38] Premier League 3821030——422
2007–08[39] Premier League 388105010[lower-alpha 2]2—5410
2008–09[40] Premier League 36471102[lower-alpha 2]0—465
2009–10[41] Premier League 10——00—10
Total 113149190122—14317
Manchester City 2009–10[41] Premier League 1812041——242
2010–11[42] Premier League 22380007[lower-alpha 3]0—373
2011–12[43] Premier League 31210207[lower-alpha 4]01[lower-alpha 5]1423
2012–13[44] Premier League 26140102[lower-alpha 6]000331
2013–14[45] Premier League 10050504[lower-alpha 6]0—240
Total 1077200121200111609
West Bromwich Albion 2014–15[46] Premier League 2613000——291
Career total 458354312913226156740
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Appearance in First Division play-offs
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Appearances in UEFA Cup
  3. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ↑ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, three UEFA Europa League
  5. ↑ Appearance in FA Community Shield
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Appearances in UEFA Champions League

International

As of match played 26 March 2013.[47]
International statistics
National teamYearAppsGoals
England 200740
200820
200930
201030
201120
2012101
201320
Total261

Honours

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Manchester City

Personal life

In April 2012, Lescott, his brother Aaron Lescott, and Coventry City defender Jordan Stewart launched a fashion line of high end designer clothes called "The Lescott Stewart Collection."[48] Lescott is a cousin of British boxer Brian Rose. The pair were featured together on Sky Sports' Ringside programme in April 2013.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 250. ISBN 9781845966010.
  2. ↑ "Player Profile: Joleon Lescott". Premier League. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  3. ↑ Maddock, David (29 April 2008). "Joleon Lescott is praying for Everton UEFA Cup berth".
  4. ↑ Daly, James (25 November 2006). "Joleon Lescott: 'The accident made me more determined to make the most of what I have, but my brother has probably been the greater inspiration...'". The Independent. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  5. ↑ "Lescott completes Everton switch". BBC News. 14 June 2006. Retrieved 7 January 2007.
  6. ↑ "Lescott named Player's Player of the Season 06–07". Retrieved 9 May 2007.
  7. ↑ Doyle, Paul (14 May 2008). "Stats entertainment: Lescott the goal machine and other curios". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  8. ↑ Player of the Season – 07–08 End Of Season Awards – Features – News – evertonfc.com – The Official Website of Everton Football Club
  9. ↑ LESCOTT SCOOPS ANOTHER AWARD – News Archive – News – evertonfc.com – The Official Website of Everton Football Club
  10. ↑ 'Young double sinks Everton' by Richard Bailey; SkySports.com; 7 December 2008
  11. ↑ 'Liverpool 1–1 Everton' by Phil McNulty; BBC.co.uk; 25 January 2009
  12. ↑ Lescott completes Man City move
  13. ↑ Manchester City defend their £24million purchase of Joleon Lescott
  14. ↑ "Lescott completes move to City". Manchester City F.C. 25 August 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  15. ↑ Mark Hughes Happy To Hand Joleon Lescott His Manchester City Debut In League Cup
  16. ↑ Dawkes, Phil (25 October 2009). "Man City 2–2 Fulham.". BBC. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  17. ↑ Ryan, Mark (22 August 2009). "Manchester City 1 Wolves 0: Adebayor screamer sees off McCarthy's men". Daily Mail. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  18. ↑ Hughes, Ian (15 August 2009). "Blackburn 0 – 2 Man City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  19. ↑ Pugsley, Danny (23 February 2011). "Defensive partnerships and the presence of Vincent Kompany". Bitter and Blue. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  20. ↑ "On the ball: Vincent Kompany salutes Joleon Lescott nous". Manchester Evening News. 21 March 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  21. ↑ On 12 February, Lescott scored a headed goal against his boyhood club Aston Villa after being assisted by former Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry."Man City 3–2 Tottenham" BBC Sport. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  22. ↑ "West Ham agree deal with Manchester City to take Joleon Lescott for £90,000 per week". Daily Telegraph. 11 Jan 2014. Retrieved 11 Jan 2014.
  23. ↑ "Lescott: I snubbed January move for glorious end at City". Manchester Evening News. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  24. ↑ "Clubs submit retained and released lists".
  25. ↑ "Joleon Lescott: West Brom sign England defender". BBC Sport. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  26. ↑ "QPR 3–2 West Brom". BBC Sport. 20 December 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  27. ↑ http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/03/01/west-brom-fans-react-on-twitter-to-joleon-lescotts-performance-v/
  28. ↑ "England B 3–1 Albania". BBC Sport. 26 May 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2007.
  29. ↑ "Lescott called up". TheFA.com.
  30. ↑ "England World Cup squad: Cappello calls up Carragher and King". The Scotsman. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  31. ↑ "John Terry named in England squad for Euro 2012 finals; Andy Carroll and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also make cut". Daily Telegraph. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  32. ↑ "Euro 2012: France 1–1 England" BBC Sport. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  33. ↑ "Games played by Joleon Lescott in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  34. ↑ "Games played by Joleon Lescott in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Games played by Joleon Lescott in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  36. ↑ "Games played by Joleon Lescott in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  37. ↑ "Games played by Joleon Lescott in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  38. ↑ "Games played by Joleon Lescott in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  39. ↑ "Games played by Joleon Lescott in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  40. ↑ "Games played by Joleon Lescott in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 "Games played by Joleon Lescott in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 "Games played by Joleon Lescott in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  43. ↑ "Games played by Joleon Lescott in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  44. ↑ "Games played by Joleon Lescott in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  45. ↑ "Games played by Joleon Lescott in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  46. ↑ "Games played by Joleon Lescott in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  47. ↑ "Player Info: Jolean Lescott". englandstats.com. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  48. ↑ "Clothing Launch: Joleon Lescott & The Lescott Stewart Collection". Kickette. Retrieved 9 January 2013.

External links

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