Joleon Lescott facts for kids
.jpg)
Lescott playing for West Bromwich Albion in 2014
|
|||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 16 August 1982 | ||
| Place of birth | Birmingham, England | ||
| Height | 6 feet 3 inches (1.90 m) | ||
| Playing position | Centre-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2000 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2000–2006 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 212 | (13) |
| 2006–2009 | Everton | 113 | (14) |
| 2009–2014 | Manchester City | 107 | (7) |
| 2014–2015 | West Bromwich Albion | 36 | (1) |
| 2015–2016 | Aston Villa | 30 | (1) |
| 2016 | AEK Athens | 4 | (0) |
| 2017 | Sunderland | 2 | (0) |
| Total | 504 | (36) | |
| National team | |||
| 2000 | England U17 | 1 | (0) |
| 2001 | England U18 | 2 | (0) |
| 2002 | England U20 | 5 | (0) |
| 2002–2003 | England U21 | 2 | (0) |
| 2007 | England B | 1 | (0) |
| 2007–2013 | England | 26 | (1) |
|
|||
Joleon Patrick Lescott (born 16 August 1982) is a former English professional footballer. He played as a centre-back, which is a defender who plays in the middle of the field. After retiring as a player, he became a coach and sports pundit. He currently works as a coach for the England senior team.
Lescott started his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers as a youth player. He made his first team debut in 2000. He helped Wolves get promoted to the Premier League in 2003. Later, he moved to Everton in 2006. In 2009, Lescott joined Manchester City. With Manchester City, he won two league titles, an FA Cup, and a League Cup. He also played for West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa.
Lescott played for England at different youth levels. He made his senior debut for England in 2007. He represented England at UEFA Euro 2012. He even scored England's first goal in that tournament against France.
Contents
Early Life and Start in Football
Joleon Lescott was born in Birmingham, England. He grew up in the Quinton area of the city. He went to the Four Dwellings High School.
Club Career Highlights
Playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers
Lescott started his professional career at Wolverhampton Wanderers. He was just 17 years old when he played his first game in 2000. This was against Sheffield Wednesday. Fans voted him the Young Player of the Year for two seasons in a row.
He became a regular player for Wolves. In the 2002–03 season, he played almost every league match. He helped the team win promotion to the Premier League in 2003. They beat Sheffield United 3–0 in the play-off final.
Unfortunately, Lescott missed the entire 2003–04 season due to knee surgery. Wolves were relegated that season. After recovering, he returned to play in the Championship. In 2005, he signed a new contract with Wolves. He was also named in the Championship's PFA Team of the Year for the 2005–06 season.
Moving to Everton
In August 2006, Lescott joined Everton. The transfer was worth about £5 million. Everton asked for extra medical checks on his knee. This was because of his previous surgery. Lescott made his debut for Everton in August 2006. He was named man of the match in his first start against Tottenham Hotspur.
He scored his first goal for Everton in April 2007 against Aston Villa. His teammates voted him the Players' Player of the Season for 2006–07. He also finished second in the Fans' Player of the Season award.
In the 2007–08 season, Lescott scored 10 goals. This was a great achievement for a defender. He was voted Everton's Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season again. He also received an award from the Everton Disabled Supporters Association. They called him "Mr Consistency."
Lescott sometimes played as a left-back for Everton. This happened when other defenders formed a strong partnership in the center. In January 2009, he scored against Liverpool in the FA Cup. He played in the 2009 FA Cup Final against Chelsea, but Everton lost 2–1.
After the 2008–09 season, Manchester City wanted to sign Lescott. Everton rejected their offers. Lescott asked to leave the club, but Everton refused.
Time at Manchester City
Lescott finally moved to Manchester City in August 2009. The fee was reported to be £22 million. He signed a five-year contract. He made his debut for City on 27 August 2009. He scored his first City goal in October 2009 against Fulham.
His first year and a half at City were tough. He struggled with injuries and finding his best form. However, when Roberto Mancini became manager, Lescott started playing more. He formed a strong defensive partnership with Vincent Kompany.
In February 2011, Lescott got a big chance when another defender was suspended. He became a key player in City's defense. He helped Manchester City reach their first major final since 1981. They won the 2011 FA Cup Final by beating Stoke City 1–0. This ended a 35-year wait for a major trophy. City also finished third in the league, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
In August 2011, Lescott scored in the 2011 FA Community Shield against Manchester United. He became a vital part of City's defense. They had big wins against Tottenham and Manchester United. Lescott also played in the Champions League for the first time.
In 2014, Lescott decided to stay at Manchester City to win more trophies. He achieved his goal, winning the League Cup and the 2013–14 Premier League. Manchester City released him in May 2014.
Playing for West Bromwich Albion
.jpg)
On 20 June 2014, Lescott joined West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer. He signed a two-year contract. He had worked with the manager, Alan Irvine, before at Everton. He scored his first goal in a 3–2 loss against Queens Park Rangers. Fans praised him for his strong performances.
Time at Aston Villa
On 1 September 2015, Lescott signed for Aston Villa. He had been a Villa fan since he was young. He made his debut twelve days later. He scored his first goal for Villa in December against Southampton. In January 2016, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over Crystal Palace. This was a rare win for Villa that season.
After a big loss to Liverpool, Lescott caused some controversy. He tweeted a picture of a luxury car. He later said it was an accident. He also made comments about the team's relegation that angered fans.
Short Stays in Greece and England
On 29 August 2016, Lescott joined Superleague Greece club AEK Athens. He signed a two-year contract. However, he suffered a knee injury while cycling. He wanted to do his recovery in the UK, but the club disagreed. His contract was ended by mutual agreement in November 2016.
On 24 January 2017, Sunderland signed Lescott on a short-term contract. He played only two games for them. His departure from Sunderland was confirmed in June 2017.
Brief Link to Racing Murcia
In November 2020, a Spanish club called Racing Murcia announced they had signed Lescott. This was for a cup match. However, Lescott later said he had not officially agreed to sign. He was still only in talks with the club.
International Career
Lescott played for England at different youth levels. This included the under-18, under-20, and under-21 teams. He also played for the England B team.
He received his first call-up to the senior England squad in September 2007. He made his senior international debut against Estonia on 13 October 2007. England won that match 3–0. His first start for England was against Russia.
Lescott was a regular player for England during the qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2012. He was chosen for the 23-man squad for the tournament. On 11 June 2012, he scored his first international goal. It was a header against France in England's first match of UEFA Euro 2012. The game ended in a 1–1 draw.
Coaching Career
After his playing career, Lescott moved into coaching. On 31 August 2021, he joined Lee Carsley's coaching team for the England U21s. In August 2024, Lescott was named as part of Carsley's interim coaching team for the senior England team. This happened after Gareth Southgate left his role.
Personal Life
Joleon Lescott was born in England. His family comes from Saint Kitts. In April 2012, Lescott, his brother Aaron Lescott, and former defender Jordan Stewart launched a fashion line. It was called "The Lescott Stewart Collection."
Career Statistics
Club Appearances
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1999–2000 | First Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2000–01 | First Division | 37 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 44 | 2 | |||
| 2001–02 | First Division | 44 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 46 | 5 | ||
| 2002–03 | First Division | 44 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | 52 | 1 | ||
| 2003–04 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2004–05 | Championship | 41 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 43 | 4 | |||
| 2005–06 | Championship | 46 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 50 | 1 | |||
| Total | 212 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | 235 | 13 | |||
| Everton | 2006–07 | Premier League | 38 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 42 | 2 | ||
| 2007–08 | Premier League | 38 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 2 | — | 54 | 10 | ||
| 2008–09 | Premier League | 36 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 46 | 5 | ||
| 2009–10 | Premier League | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 113 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 12 | 2 | — | 143 | 17 | |||
| Manchester City | 2009–10 | Premier League | 18 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 24 | 2 | ||
| 2010–11 | Premier League | 22 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | — | 37 | 3 | ||
| 2011–12 | Premier League | 31 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 42 | 3 | |
| 2012–13 | Premier League | 26 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 1 | |
| 2013–14 | Premier League | 10 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 24 | 0 | ||
| Total | 107 | 7 | 20 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 160 | 9 | ||
| West Bromwich Albion | 2014–15 | Premier League | 34 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 37 | 1 | ||
| 2015–16 | Premier League | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 36 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 39 | 1 | ||||
| Aston Villa | 2015–16 | Premier League | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 1 | ||
| 2016–17 | Championship | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 1 | ||||
| AEK Athens | 2016–17 | Super League Greece | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | |||
| Sunderland | 2016–17 | Premier League | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Career total | 504 | 36 | 42 | 1 | 30 | 1 | 32 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 614 | 41 | ||
International Appearances
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 2007 | 4 | 0 |
| 2008 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 26 | 1 | |
- England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Lescott goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 June 2012 | Donbass Arena, Donetsk, Ukraine | 17 |  France |
1–0 | 1–1 | UEFA Euro 2012 |
Honours and Awards
Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Football League First Division play-offs: 2003 (promoted to Premier League)
Everton
- FA Cup runner-up: 2008–09
Manchester City
- Premier League: 2011–12, 2013–14
- FA Cup: 2010–11
- FA Cup runner-up: 2012–13
- Football League Cup: 2013–14
Individual Awards
- Everton Player of the Season: 2007–08
- Everton Players' Player of the Season: 2006–07, 2007–08
- PFA Team of the Year: 2001–02 First Division, 2002–03 First Division, 2005–06 Championship
- Wolverhampton Wanderers Player of the Year: 2002–03, 2004–05
See also
In Spanish: Joleon Lescott para niños
