Man City named Premier League favourites by Lescott

Joleon Lescott argues Manchester City will be favourites to win the Premier League, while Liverpool are overlooked as title contenders.

Lescott backs City as favourites Liverpool overlooked

Former England defender Joleon Lescott has named Manchester City as favourites to win the Premier League, saying Liverpool are overlooked as the defending champions. He spoke at the launch of the Topps Premier League 2025-26 trading card collection in London, where he joined figures such as Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard.

Lescott argues City can rebound after a disappointing last season and points to Pep Guardiola’s recent signings, including James Trafford, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, and Sverre Nypan, as evidence of a refreshed squad. He suggests City may have benefited from a mental break that could help them hit the ground running again while maintaining their elite level of quality and depth.

Lescott’s view fits a broader conversation about how teams reset after back-to-back title challenges. The idea that fatigue can blunt even dominant sides adds nuance to the simple label of favourites. City’s transfer activity signals intent to refresh a squad that has pushed itself to historic highs, while the mental break he mentions reframes the question from pure fitness to mindset.

This moment also shows how marketing and sports commentary intersect. A card launch becomes a platform to frame a club’s season, influencing fans, sponsors, and bookmakers. The caution about bedding in new players reminds readers that early results may not reveal the true balance of a refreshed team or how quickly newcomers adapt to the pace and scrutiny of elite competition.

Highlights

City face a season that will test depth, focus, and resilience.