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Friday August 28, 2009

Hughes: Lescott is best centreback in Premier League

MANCHESTER: John Terry and Rio Ferdinand may be England’s first-choice central defenders but Manchester City manager Mark Hughes believes his new £22mil (US$35.98mil) signing Joleon Lescott (pic) is even better.

“I’m delighted to welcome Joleon to the club,” Hughes told reporters on Wednesday after completing a protracted deal to buy Lescott from Premier League rivals Everton.

“It’s been a long and difficult process but I feel Joleon is the best centre half in the Premier League and will be for many years to come.

“He’s key to what we are trying to achieve. I’ve been really keen to bring him here because the key as a manager is being able to work with your targets and now it’s just a case of integrating him into the team,” added Hughes.

England international Lescott said he made the switch because City had more chance of breaking into the league’s top four.

“I had a good rapport with the Everton fans and got on well with them,” said the 27-year-old. “They were great with me and I’d like to thank them.

“I gave my all for them when I was there but everyone outside the top four is aiming for the same thing and Manchester City are better equipped to get there than Everton.”

Lescott, who has agreed a five-year deal with City, is the club’s sixth major signing since the end of last season, joining Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure at Eastlands.

City, who have won their opening two league matches, travel to Portsmouth on Sunday when Lescott is expected to make his debut. — Reuters

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