Latest news with #Lescott
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Joleon Lescott explains why Liverpool won't win title and makes bold Premier League prediction
Joleon Lescott has backed his former club Manchester City to bounce back from a disappointing Premier League and Champions League campaign under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola Former England defender Joleon Lescott has written off Liverpool's chances of winning the Premier League this season and believes Manchester City will pip them to the title. The 42-year-old backed his former club to bounce back from a disappointing Premier League and Champions League campaign under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola, suggesting they have benefitted from the mental break last season provided. Guardiola has been active in the transfer market, bringing in the likes of James Trafford, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, and Sverre Nypan Manchester City won an unprecedented four Premier League titles in a row between 2021 and 2024 but were unable to sustain that charge as they finished trophyless in 2025. Lescott, however, places them as the team to beat this season despite Liverpool 's sensational transfer business. The former defender - speaking at the launch the new Topps Premier League 2025-26 trading card collection - said: 'Regardless of how last season panned out, they are definitely going to be one of the favourites. It's Pep Guardiola, it's Man City with some of the world's best players. 'It would be foolish to not see them as favourites in every competition they enter. That doesn't mean they're going to win everything, but they're definitely one of the favourites.' City finished 13 points behind champions Liverpool in third place last season but Lescott put their drop off down to a fatigue from winning. 'It was obviously an unprecedented season for them last year, but they've achieved something no one in the history of English football has achieved so it's always going to take its toll,' he explained. 'It did that last year. Not only a physical toll, but a mental toll to stay focussed for that long and to have to win games for that period of time. When they recognised that they weren't going to win the title, whether it was subconsciously or not, they were able to switch off a little bit. 'Physically the demand was still there but hopefully they've had a break mentally, not to have to go out there and concentrate points wise, hopefully that now means they'll come back ready to go.' Lescott was speaking at the new Topps Premier League 2026 trading card launch in London, which features players from all 20 clubs in the league in their 2025/26 kits at the Fanatics flagship store on Thursday. He was joined by other legends such as Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand to celebrate the new stand-alone range that features legends and current stars, with an extensive parallel programme and more autographs than ever before. The showcase of Premier League talent among the collectibles also gave Lescott reason to be excited about his former club as he enthused over City's signing of 21-year-old Cherki. 'He's very exciting, for the Premier League as well. He plays with a lot of flair, a lot of quality. I'm anticipating a good start for him and a good season,' he said. 'But again, we can't get carried away and make judgements too soon, whether it's good or bad, there needs to be a bedding-in period.' And despite the excitement, Lescott also issued caution about expectations on the youngster who joined from Lyon this summer. 'It's a big change for him, coming from the French league, it's going to be a different demand, physically, mentally, and also a tension. I think we only see foreign players in different leagues when they do well. 'Now we see him in the tough times and the scrutiny comes when you're not doing so well. So it's how they manage those periods and understand that people are going to be watching every game, every moment.' Marking the launch of the Topps Premier League 2025-26 collection were football icons Alan Shearer, Steven Gerrard, and Rio Ferdinand, joined by Jermaine Defoe, Joleon Lescott, Theo Walcott and Tosin Adarabioyo, alongside Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin in a star-studded celebration. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Lescott backing Manchester City to win the Premier League title
Guardiola has been active in the transfer market, bringing in the likes of James Trafford, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, and Sverre Nypan Manchester City won an unprecedented four Premier League titles in a row between 2021 and 2024 but were unable to sustain that as they finished trophyless in 2025. The former Manchester City star was in attendance for the launch of the Topps Premier League 2026 collection at the Fanatics flagship London store on Regent Street on Thursday. (Image: Topps) Lescott, however, places them right back among the top pack as they head into a new season. 'Regardless of how last season panned out, they are definitely going to be one of the favourites. It's Pep Guardiola, it's Man City with some of the world's best players,' he said. 'It would be foolish to not see them as favourites in every competition they're enter. 'That doesn't mean they're going to win everything, but they're definitely one of the favourites.' City finished 13 points behind champions Liverpool in third place last season but Lescott put their drop off down to a fatigue from winning. 'It was obviously an unprecedented season for them last year, but they've achieved something no one in the history of English football has achieved so it's always going to take its toll,' he explained. 'It did that last year. Not only a physical toll, but a mental toll to stay focussed for that long and to have to win games for that period of time. 'When they recognised that they weren't going to win the title, whether it was subconsciously or not, they were able to switch off a little bit. 'Physically the demand was still there but hopefully they've had a break mentally, not to have to go out there and concentrate points wise, hopefully that now means they'll come back ready to go.' Lescott was speaking at the new Topps Premier League 2026 trading card launch in London, which features players from all 20 clubs in the league in their 2025/26 kits at the Fanatics flagship store on Thursday. He was joined by other legends such as Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand to celebrate the new stand-alone range that features legends and current stars, with an extensive parallel programme and more autographs than ever before. The showcase of Premier League talent among the collectibles also gave Lescott reason to be excited about his former club as he enthused over City's signing of 21-year-old Cherki. 'He's very exciting, for the Premier League as well. He plays with a lot of flair, a lot of quality. I'm anticipating a good start for him and a good season,' he said. 'But again, we can't get carried away and make judgements too soon, whether it's good or bad, there needs to be a bedding-in period.' And despite the excitement, Lescott also issued caution about expectations on the youngster who joined from Lyon this summer. 'It's a big change for him, coming from the French league, it's going to be a different demand, physically, mentally, and also a tension. I think we only see foreign players in different leagues when they do well. 'Now we see him in the tough times and the scrutiny comes when you're not doing so well. So it's how they manage those periods and understand that people are going to be watching every game, every moment.' Marking the launch of the Topps Premier League 2025-26 collection were football icons Alan Shearer, Steven Gerrard, and Rio Ferdinand, joined by Jermaine Defoe, Joleon Lescott, Theo Walcott and Tosin Adarabioyo, alongside Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin in a star-studded celebration.
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Lescott hails the boom in football trading cards
The former Manchester City star was in attendance for the launch of the Topps Premier League 2026 collection at the Fanatics flagship London store on Regent Street on Thursday. Lescott was amazed by the reaction of hundreds of fans who flooded in to get their hands on the new collection and enjoyed the celebrations alongside legends like Alan Shearer and Steven Gerrard. 'It's crazy because now it helps a younger generation recognise me for my playing days and probably even more than when I was playing. It's a nice feeling,' he said. The former Manchester City star was in attendance for the launch of the Topps Premier League 2026 collection at the Fanatics flagship London store on Regent Street on Thursday. (Image: Topps) 'I'm impressed by the enthusiasm of it and learning the difference in the meaning of them. 'Obviously, you're aware that cards are rarer than others but there's more detail than that. 'When I was younger, there were five cards, one was shiny and you knew you would get a badge in there, but now there are beast mode cards and all that stuff.' The all-new Topps Premier League 2026 collection is a stand-alone range outside of Match Attax and boasts an extensive parallel programme with 15 colour variations across unnumbered and numbered parallels. It features players from all 20 Premier League clubs featured in the collection as well as legends and more autographs than ever before. The launch evoked nostalgia for Lescott who remembered collecting himself as a child and also funding the passion of his youngest son. 'My first collection was Gladiators and then I went into this world [of football]. But my youngest son is an avid collector of cards,' he recalled. 'He used to use them as his version of Subbuteo. He played cards, so he used to collect the cards and put them in teams and would entertain himself, so I'm aware of this world.' It was fitting, too, that Gerrard was in attendance alongside Premier League stars like Theo Walcott, Jermaine Defoe and current Chelsea star Tosin Adarabioyo as Lescott recalls a particularly impressive card from his son's collection. 'He was collecting them before it was as big as it is now. I told him the industry of collectibles, especially in American sports, were massive and it was transitioning over to football,' he said. 'I told him to start collecting some of the rarer players but he just wanted to play with them, he wasn't thinking about collecting them. 'We were lucky enough to be at a Steven Gerrard event years ago and he got honoured with a card and it was a Premier League legends card. So he's got that one, but that's still in the case he's still protecting that one. 'But overall, he hasn't got any ones that would be worth using because they're all frayed at the ends.' Marking the launch of the Topps Premier League 2025-26 collection were football icons Alan Shearer, Steven Gerrard, and Rio Ferdinand, joined by Jermaine Defoe, Joleon Lescott, Theo Walcott and Tosin Adarabioyo, alongside Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin in a star-studded celebration.
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Lescott backing Manchester City to win the Premier League title
The 42-year-old backed his former club to bounce back from a disappointing Premier League and Champions League campaign under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola, suggesting they would have benefitted from the mental break last season provided. Guardiola has been active in the transfer market, bringing in the likes of James Trafford, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, and Sverre Nypan Manchester City won an unprecedented four Premier League titles in a row between 2021 and 2024 but were unable to sustain that as they finished trophyless in 2025. The former Manchester City star was in attendance for the launch of the Topps Premier League 2026 collection at the Fanatics flagship London store on Regent Street on Thursday. (Image: Topps) Lescott, however, places them right back among the top pack as they head into a new season. 'Regardless of how last season panned out, they are definitely going to be one of the favourites. It's Pep Guardiola, it's Man City with some of the world's best players,' he said. 'It would be foolish to not see them as favourites in every competition they're enter. 'That doesn't mean they're going to win everything, but they're definitely one of the favourites.' City finished 13 points behind champions Liverpool in third place last season but Lescott put their drop off down to a fatigue from winning. 'It was obviously an unprecedented season for them last year, but they've achieved something no one in the history of English football has achieved so it's always going to take its toll,' he explained. 'It did that last year. Not only a physical toll, but a mental toll to stay focussed for that long and to have to win games for that period of time. 'When they recognised that they weren't going to win the title, whether it was subconsciously or not, they were able to switch off a little bit. 'Physically the demand was still there but hopefully they've had a break mentally, not to have to go out there and concentrate points wise, hopefully that now means they'll come back ready to go.' Lescott was speaking at the new Topps Premier League 2026 trading card launch in London, which features players from all 20 clubs in the league in their 2025/26 kits at the Fanatics flagship store on Thursday. He was joined by other legends such as Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand to celebrate the new stand-alone range that features legends and current stars, with an extensive parallel programme and more autographs than ever before. The showcase of Premier League talent among the collectibles also gave Lescott reason to be excited about his former club as he enthused over City's signing of 21-year-old Cherki. 'He's very exciting, for the Premier League as well. He plays with a lot of flair, a lot of quality. I'm anticipating a good start for him and a good season,' he said. 'But again, we can't get carried away and make judgements too soon, whether it's good or bad, there needs to be a bedding-in period.' And despite the excitement, Lescott also issued caution about expectations on the youngster who joined from Lyon this summer. 'It's a big change for him, coming from the French league, it's going to be a different demand, physically, mentally, and also a tension. I think we only see foreign players in different leagues when they do well. 'Now we see him in the tough times and the scrutiny comes when you're not doing so well. So it's how they manage those periods and understand that people are going to be watching every game, every moment.' Marking the launch of the Topps Premier League 2025-26 collection were football icons Alan Shearer, Steven Gerrard, and Rio Ferdinand, joined by Jermaine Defoe, Joleon Lescott, Theo Walcott and Tosin Adarabioyo, alongside Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin in a star-studded celebration.
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Lescott hails the boom in football trading cards
Joleon Lescott believes the boom of interest in football trading cards helps fans recognise his talents even more than when he was playing. The former Manchester City star was in attendance for the launch of the Topps Premier League 2026 collection at the Fanatics flagship London store on Regent Street on Thursday. Lescott was amazed by the reaction of hundreds of fans who flooded in to get their hands on the new collection and enjoyed the celebrations alongside legends like Alan Shearer and Steven Gerrard. 'It's crazy because now it helps a younger generation recognise me for my playing days and probably even more than when I was playing. It's a nice feeling,' he said. 'I'm impressed by the enthusiasm of it and learning the difference in the meaning of them. 'Obviously, you're aware that cards are rarer than others but there's more detail than that. 'When I was younger, there were five cards, one was shiny and you knew you would get a badge in there, but now there are beast mode cards and all that stuff.' The all-new Topps Premier League 2026 collection is a stand-alone range outside of Match Attax and boasts an extensive parallel programme with 15 colour variations across unnumbered and numbered parallels. It features players from all 20 Premier League clubs featured in the collection as well as legends and more autographs than ever before. The launch evoked nostalgia for Lescott who remembered collecting himself as a child and also funding the passion of his youngest son. 'My first collection was Gladiators and then I went into this world [of football]. But my youngest son is an avid collector of cards,' he recalled. 'He used to use them as his version of Subbuteo. He played cards, so he used to collect the cards and put them in teams and would entertain himself, so I'm aware of this world.' It was fitting, too, that Gerrard was in attendance alongside Premier League stars like Theo Walcott, Jermaine Defoe and current Chelsea star Tosin Adarabioyo as Lescott recalls a particularly impressive card from his son's collection. 'He was collecting them before it was as big as it is now. I told him the industry of collectibles, especially in American sports, were massive and it was transitioning over to football,' he said. 'I told him to start collecting some of the rarer players but he just wanted to play with them, he wasn't thinking about collecting them. 'We were lucky enough to be at a Steven Gerrard event years ago and he got honoured with a card and it was a Premier League legends card. So he's got that one, but that's still in the case he's still protecting that one. 'But overall, he hasn't got any ones that would be worth using because they're all frayed at the ends.' Marking the launch of the Topps Premier League 2025-26 collection were football icons Alan Shearer, Steven Gerrard, and Rio Ferdinand, joined by Jermaine Defoe, Joleon Lescott, Theo Walcott and Tosin Adarabioyo, alongside Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin in a star-studded celebration.
