Out of all the positions, centre midfield seems to be the one where Everton have the most options. James McCarthy, Gareth Barry, Muhamed Besic, Ross Barkley, Leon Osman and Darron Gibson all provide plenty of depth in that area. So is free agent Tom Cleverley really what Everton need?
An argument could be made for both yes and no. With central midfield hardly being a priority, Everton should be focusing their attentions mostly on signing at least one centre-back, a goalkeeper, a striker and a creative wide man. These are the positions the Toffees are most lacking in. Yevhen Konoplyanka is available on a free and I think this type of a player, a more creative winger who’ll make more of an attacking difference in games is what Everton need more urgently. Especially in games where the opposition have especially set up to not be beaten; games like West Brom, Swansea and Hull this season being prime examples of when not having enough of that type of player cost Everton.
He is quite similar to some of Everton’s centre midfielders, but would Cleverley offer more? I think yes. My point that Everton should have higher priorities is one I stand by, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think they should sign the former Manchester United man. McCarthy and Besic could be too similar to play alongside each other in a 2 man fulcrum, while Barkley lacks the experience and defensive capabilities to play there regularly and Osman lacks the energy and defensive attributes too. Gibson is more often than not injured and Cleverley is a more complete midfielder- providing defensive solidity, aggression and the passing ability and runs from midfield. He’d also be free, so why not?
Cleverley has been given more license to get forward and get in the opposition box more under Sherwood and it has paid off. He has 3 goals in 6 games and seems to revel in making those late runs into the box, something else Everton lacked in 14/15. The stats say he’s more effective going forward than both Besic and Barry too. Cleverley, even including his time playing more defensively under Lambert, averages 0.8 key passes per game compared to Barry’s 0.5 and Besic’s 0.4. Playing further forward that statistic must be even higher.
Overall, with him being on a free and with Everton lacking viable alternatives, I think Cleverley would be a good signing and a more ideal partner for McCarthy than any of Everton’s current options. He fits the bill- as well as being someone who can both defend and attack, Cleverley make runs into the box, would restore a better balance in the midfield and has vital big game experience.
