3. Joleon Lescott To Manchester City (£22 Million)
Lynne Cameron/EMPICS SportJoleon Lescott is a solid defender who was already a full England international when his move to Manchester City came about it 2009 but, given that he had moved to Everton just three years earlier as a 23 year old for £5 million (with only
£2 million being paid up front), the increase to
£22 million for a 27 year old Lescott just over three years later seemed absolutely crazy - not least because of the fact that central defenders costing that much in any instance is pretty insane (and don't Paris St. Germain know it after paying £50 million for David Luiz, given his showing against Germany in the World Cup...). Lescott has never been anything overly special. At 31 years old and with 26 England caps to his name, it's clear to see he was never an automatic first choice for his country. £22 million defenders need to be world class to justify that kind of fee and Lescott simply isn't. His best trait was his ability to score more goals than the average centre back, but he was by no means prolific and goalscoring is hardly the first trait you want your defenders to have or to be thinking about. But, then again, Manchester City do have more money than sense, as this next entry proves...