Love Everton. Hate Football.

I’ve always had time for Man City and their fans. When they were in the doldrums of League One (Division 3 to us normal folk) they still sold out Maine Road as well as their away allocations. These feelings have changed over the last few months. Since becoming obscenely rich City have decided the best way to get the player they want to constantly talk about the player in question via the press.

First there was Kaka and talk of £250,000 a week wages. Thankfully Kaka showed class and instantly said he wanted to stay at A.C. Milan, although he has since moved to Real Madrid for £55million. But he has shown a desire to go there to win, not purely for financial gain.

Next there was John Terry. The captain of England and Chelsea. Mark Hughes waffled on to anyone that would listen that Terry should join City as he needed a new challenge. None of this through Chelsea or Terry mind you. Bold as you like through the national press. Terry then publically announced he had no intention of leaving Chelsea. Two unsuccessful attempts to unsettle players were now under Mark Hughes belt.

Then it was Everton’s turn and Joleon Lescott’s. Now I love Everton but I am not as biased enough to suggest they are anywhere near the league of A.C. Milan in terms of history or anywhere near Chelsea in terms of financial clout, and therefore not in Man City’s newly found financial league. All it should’ve taken was an offer from Man City’s manager to Everton’s manager, David Moyes, of correct market valuation for the player. Oh but this is not the Mark Hughes way!

He offered a rather pathetic £15million then upped it a further £3million a week later, all apparently going over the head of David Moyes. A simple bit of respect to the club and to the manager was all it would’ve taken. Man City could’ve had their player and Everton would’ve had a month to find a replacement rather than 8 days.

Instead, Hughes continued to publically court Lescott over a series of interviews which were desgined to unsettle the Everton player. Now I don’t blame Lescott for wanting to leave for more money. If someone offered me 3 times my wages there would be a me shaped hole in the door. However, football works differently.

Moyes put his faith in Lescott and took a gamble when no-one else would. It paid off big time for both the player and the club. Lescott went from championship centre back to England international and Everton finished 5th in consecutive seasons as well as reaching the F.A. Cup Final. At the very least he should have shown some loyalty to the club and manager. One more season wouldn’t have hurt him. Saying that though, with Everton’s continued lack of progress in the transfer market I’m sure there are a few other frustrated players.

Anyway, Lescott handed in a transfer request, while away from the club on international duty no less! To me this showed a lack of respect on Lescott’s part and as soon as that happened I couldn’t wait for him to leave. Him and City seem to be a good fit. Now I don’t wish any harm on the player but if a sudden lack of form hit him I certainly wouldn’t complain. Of course once a certain Phil Jagielka returns to fitness a wry smile would beam from ear to ear across my face should Jags head to South Africa for the World Cup instead of Lescott. And to be fair Jagielka has been Everton’s best defender for that last 18 months, earning him England recognition too.

So it seems with a lot of money Mark Hughes and Man City have forgotten where they have come from. Once a likable club now the equivalent of a chav lottery winner from the local council estate on a Burberry binge. Just search the news websites for the cretin that has “Man City, 2011 Champions League winners” tattooed on his arm. What a moron an optimist.

Pockets of cash corrupt absolutely it seems. I miss the old days: Less Joleon Lescotts’ and more Matt Le Tissier’s.