Gael Clichy has claimed that Joleon Lescott “doesn’t get enough credit” for the player he was, especially at Manchester City.
Lescott famously played a huge part in City’s first Premier League win during the 2011/2012 season.
The Englishman had formed a rock-solid partnership with Vincent Kompany at the back for Manchester City, with Gael Clichy as the starting left-back and Micah Richards as the first-choice right-back for most of the campaign.
Gael Clichy says Joleon Lescott “doesn’t get enough credit”
After winning his second league title with the Sky Blues in 2014, the left-footed centre-back was sold to West Brom.
The former Everton defender lost his place in the side by the time he was shipped off to the Midlands, starting just eight Premier League games during Manuel Pellegrini’s debut season.
However, Gael Clichy feels Joleon Lescott is not heralded enough for the player he was during his career, especially considering how well he did for Manchester City.
“Yes. I played with big players, he’s one of those players people don’t talk a lot about. He was the leader of the defence, really guiding people, vocal on the pitch. He doesn’t get enough credit.”
“A good friend of mine, that season [2011/2012], the pairing of [Vincent] Kompany and [Joleon] Lescott was above anyone else in the country”, he said on Premier League Productions’ The Final Word show.
Gael Clichy could perhaps say the same about himself
Ironically enough, Gael Clichy could perhaps say the same about himself as he did about Joleon Lescott.
The Frenchman was solid, if not spectacular during his time at City as he quietly went about his business at left-back.
Despite having to compete with another top player for a starting role in the side in Aleksandar Kolarov, the ex-Arsenal defender was arguably much more of a reliable defensive presence than the Serbian.
While not being as impactful going forward, Clichy had a sense of balance to his side as he endured a successful spell at the Etihad Stadium.
Gael Clichy’s contribution is perhaps not discussed as much nowadays due to the presence of superstars like Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez and Vincent Kompany in the same side at the time.
