England defender told he is very much part of Pellegrini’s plans.
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Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has been told he will not be allowed to leave the club this summer as he is very much part of new manager Manuel Pellegrini’s plans according to The Telegraph.
The centre back was widely expected to leave the Etihad Stadium in the coming months after falling out of favour at the club under previous boss Roberto Mancini.
The likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa and Everton were thought to be ready to make moves for Lescott but it now appears they will have to be put on hold after Pellegrini informed the player he will be part of the first team squad.
Lescott played an integral role in the City squad that went on to win the Premier League title two seasons ago, forming a formidable partnership with Belgium defender Vincent Kompany.
But he eventually found himself dropped from the side last season, with Mancini preferring instead to play Kompany alongside Serbian youngster Matija Nastasic.
The news will be welcomed by Lescott, who was keen to secure first team football as he looks to book his place in the England squad for next summer’s World Cup finals tournament. The news will also give Lescott new hope of securing an extension to his current deal, which has just twelve months left to run.