[quote author=singlerider link=topic=35421.msg931010#msg931010 date=1251111160]
I think it depends on how you choose to look at it - taken completely out of context, based purely on their own merits, Johnson is by far the better deal IMO. As much as I like him, I still think £18M was a touch much - but he is young, talented and English and by all accounts the best right back in the league last seaon.
Lescott is older, not as talented, and although he's been in good form he certainly wasn't the best centre back in the league, and isn't likely to ever be.
Looked at like that, with Lescott costing £6M than an already overpriced GloJo, it's a no-brainer.
However, I think if you were to put it into context, taking into consideration our needs and position vs Citeh's then it becomes a different matter. City needed a decent CB almost as much as we needed to replace Arby, in fact arguably perhaps more so - undoubtedly we needed a new RB, but it's not like that was the only position we needed to fill, there are still significant areas we need to work on. City had sorted most of their problem positions and were really only weak at the back, especially in the middle.
Essentially, if the reports are to be believed and we are done with the spending and the cash has run out, we've pretty much blown half of the seasonal budget on Johnson, compared to Citeh who probably only allocated a small percentage towards securing Lescott, who is a big improvement to them.
Looked at through their eyes, they've got the much better deal
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^^
Also, taking into account that City are most likely looking for a top 6 finish this year, 24m for a good player and at the same time weakening your direct competition is a decent bit of business.