So far this summer, Roberto Martinez has brought in two new recruits in ex-United midfielder Tom Cleverley and Goodison Park favourite Gerard Deulofeu. Although having been stagnant over the more recent weeks, these two early additions may prove to be very smart signings that have gone under the radar for other teams.
Tom Cleverley showed what everyone has been expecting of him during his loan spell with Aston Villa last season. He and Villa ended the season with a flourish – with Cleverley’s performances rewarded him with a recall to the England side, having not featured since 2013. And on the back of a strong finish to the season, he raises optimism for what he can add to the squad. Martinez has managed the midfielder before, during a loan spell at Wigan, so knows exactly how to get the most out of the player and with an unsuccessful bid back in September, he also knows exactly how he wants Cleverley to feature in the current side.
The 25-year-old’s signing comes with some trepidation; a player that has so far not fulfilled the potential he hinted at possessing during his early days at United, as well as his initial struggle to cement a place and be an influential player at a side that flirted with relegation last season. His return of 3 goals in 31 leaves a lot to be desired, too. It’s fair to say, he has to convince the fans from the get go to prove his worth at the club.
Nonetheless, the England man provides a decent addition to the squad and, as a free agent, a shrewd one, too. A squad player is his most likely role for the forthcoming season as I struggle to see where he fits into the first eleven. He faces stern opposition in central midfield with McCarthy, Besic, Barry and possibly Gibson, and behind the striker, Barkley and Osman would most likely be prioritised ahead of him. Wide left seems the most feasible option, facing opposition from Everton veterans Osman and Pienaar, as well as Mirallas and Deulofeu. Cleverley seems more likely to provide cover throughout these positions due to his versatility, and I see Cleverley as a successor for Osman, replacing the stalwart in the seasons to come.
With Gerard Deulofeu, however, Evertonians know what he’ll bring to the side. The skilful winger provides a much needed flair to the side that seemed flat last season, with only Kevin Mirallas providing that spark. His injection of pace, his arrogance to take on any fullback, not matter the stature, and his unpredictability on the ball were all sorely missed last season, having showcased just what we needed the season prior. He has his frustrations, of course, but he is a player that gets the fans off their seats and his performances against Newcastle and Arsenal away are what we remember most fondly from the Spaniard. Having struggled on loan at Sevilla last season, Deulofeu will be as ecstatic as Evertonians are for him to be back in blue.
Having featured sporadically in the 13/14 season due to injury and being deployed as a substitute, many anticipate what the tricky winger has added to his game two seasons on. Hopefully he has returned as a more mature player who knows when to hold the ball or lay it out to others, as well as being able to net a few goals and create chances for Lukaku. This is the hope at least, and I am sure that will be the outcome as well, perhaps not immediately as I do not expect him to walk into the first team straight away, much like his first season, but will break into the side and show that he provides qualities that been barren at Everton since his departure.
These two signings are not raising eyebrows from other teams, with surprisingly, expensive signings from Palace and Newcastle with Cabaye and Wijnaldum, respectively, both teams that do not, traditionally, make top quality signings. Whereas Everton’s signings cost just £4.3 million combined. However, that will be to the surprise of others when the players perform far beyond their price tags as ever Evertonian knows that there is a long history of bargain players that have become fans’ favourites.
