LONDON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Everton have dropped England defender Joleon Lescott from the squad for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Sigma Olomouc, disappointed manager David Moyes said on Wednesday.
The decision appears to have brought Lescott’s departure to Premier League rivals Manchester City closer even though two approaches for the player have been rejected.
Moyes told a news conference the 27-year-old was not in his plans for the first-leg playoff tie at home to the Czech side because he was disappointed by his attitude following Saturday’s 6-1 home defeat by Arsenal on the opening day of the season.
Lescott handed in a transfer request after two attempts by City to sign him were rejected by Everton before the match.
City manager Mark Hughes, appearing at a news conference after his side’s 1-0 win over Barcelona at the Nou Camp later on Wednesday, was reluctant to comment.
“At the moment he’s an Everton player and we fully respect that,” he said. “There’s nothing more to add at the moment.”
Everton said on their website (www.evertonfc.com) Lescott did not train with the first team on Wednesday.
Moyes added: “I’m not including Joleon Lescott in the squad. His attitude in the past few days has been poor and for that reason I won’t include him”.
“I’ve always thought he was a good lad. But I think he has not only let himself down but his team mates too.”
Lescott’s omission means Joseph Yobo is the only fit and available senior central defender in the squad.
Phil Neville and Jack Rodwell played in central defence in pre-season games against Coventry City, Blackpool and Malaga.
Lescott has played seven times for England and was an unused substitute in last week’s friendly international against the Netherlands in Amsterdam which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Lescott signed for the Merseyside club from Wolverhampton Wanderers for five million pounds ($8.23 million) in 2006.
Manchester City have confirmed the signing of veteran Brazilian left-back Sylvinho on a free transfer for a one-year contract. City also reached an agreement for Everton defender Joleon Lescott. The move is subject to the player agreeing on personal terms and passing a medical. At one spectrum you have City spending (with the exception of Sylvinho) an obscene amount of money and showing their intentions with their results, but we also have Arsenal flying out the gate with only one signing this summer. What's the right reciepe for success? Buying for trophies or finding the right kind of young talent and developing them in a system that is first class. I'm trying to not be so judgemental as if City and Real Madrid were my team, I would be completely on board with the spending. Since I am not, I am fighting the fact that I am not to pleased with the spending. Let me know your thoughts. Spend spend spend or spend a little and develop your youth?
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