Roberto Mancini says Joleon Lescott remains an 'important' player for Manchester City
Related articles
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has stressed he still regards Joleon Lescott as an important player.
England centre-half Lescott played a key role in City's Barclays Premier League title success last season, but has been dropped for some significant fixtures this term.
The 30-year-old was an unused substitute for the league matches on August 26 at Liverpool and on Saturday at Fulham, as well as the Blues' Champions League Group D opener against Real Madrid on September 18 at the Bernabeu, where summer signing Matija Nastasic was chosen ahead of him to partner captain Vincent Kompany in central defence in a 3-2 defeat.
It has made for an uncertain situation for the former Everton man, although he has vowed not to "rock the boat" over the matter, and speaking today ahead of City's next Champions League assignment - tomorrow's home clash with Borussia Dortmund - his manager Mancini emphasised that Lescott is still very much a part of his plans.
Asked if he had lost faith in Lescott, the Italian said: "He is one of the best defenders.
"But I have six or seven defenders and I made a different choice last week and in Madrid.
"Tomorrow I will decide again, but Joleon is an important player for us."
PA
Latest in Sport
Sport blogs
iBet: Look each way for value in The Cote D’Azur Open
With the top nine players in the men’s world tennis rankings all missing this tournament to prepare ...
by Gareth Purnell
21 May 2013 02:01 AM
On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: We could have been on the tour of Siberia over past 72 hours
When cyclists look back on their careers spanning many hundreds (and in some cases possibly thousand...
by Martin Ayres
20 May 2013 06:12 PM
Nike kit deal puts England at No 2 in the world (but which country is top?)
As England’s new football strip – made by Nike – is revealed today, new research shows the English F...
by Alex Miller
20 May 2013 04:52 PM
-
Why Spurs will break the bank to keep Gareth Bale this summer
-
Jose Mourinho clear to rejoin Chelsea as departure clears the way for Real Madrid to move for Gareth Bale to become Cristiano Ronaldo's successor
-
Tottenham to smash pay scale with £150,000-a-week contract in attempt to tie Gareth Bale to club
-
Why Arsène Wenger must spend to put icing on the cake and buy likes of Stevan Jovetic for Arsenal
-
Sam Wallace: As he leaves Real Madrid, make no mistake - Jose Mourinho's return to Chelsea will only end in tears
- 1 'He was lucky he didn't die' - George Michael fell out of speeding car onto M1 motorway, according to eye witness
- 2 Austerity has hardened the nation's heart
- 3 Gay couple beaten in park urge MPs to moderate language on gay marriage
- 4 Why Arsène Wenger must spend to put icing on the cake and buy likes of Stevan Jovetic for Arsenal
- 5 'It was just like the movie Twister': Man survives Oklahoma tornado by taking refuge in horse stall
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Day In a Page
The price of pacifism
Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond
Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?
Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'



Comments