With free agent Tom Cleverley set to complete his move to Everton in the coming days, Paddy spoke to fans of the 25-year-old’s former clubs for an opinion on the midfielder. Here’s what they had to say:
James Browning, Read Man Utd (Manchester United): I think it is unfair that United fans say that Tom Cleverley was a bad player at Old Trafford, or anywhere for that matter. Most seem to have forgotten his partnership with Anderson, another victim of the minds of fans with short memories, when the pair were comfortably tearing the Premier League apart together. Injuries were to be the downfall of Cleverley’s United career as he never managed to build on any progress he made as a player. He is a talented passer of the ball with a decent eye for goal. He is often criticised for constantly passing the ball sideways or failing to join attacks in his final season with United but it has been revealed that David Moyes insisted he stay behind the ball and sit deep – not something a young, talented midfielder should be asked to do. His main weakness is his lack of height and physicality – he could never compete with the likes of Yaya Toure or Marouane Fellaini in an aerial battle but he certainly has potential to make something of himself with the ball at his feet and I expect him to thrive at Everton where he will likely be given more freedom, as he was under Tim Sherwood at Aston Villa.
Kane Brooker, The Stetford Stand (Manchester United): Tom Cleverley has been an unfortunate player for United. He pushed tirelessly to make his way into the team, but even with numerous loan spells couldn’t quite fit the bill. The midfielder simply wasn’t the standard for Manchester United, but could be a phenomenal acquisition for Everton, especially with the lack of a transfer fee. Supporters became frustrated with Cleverley, and his future was never going to remain at Old Trafford. Some of the criticism he received as player was unwarranted, but equally his behaviour towards the club suggested a move was essential – not applauding the fans with the team of the final day of the 2013/14 season a vivid memory for all supporters. That being said, Cleverley proved his value on loan for Aston Villa, and will be expected to display similar performances at Goodison Park. Despite his weakness in the area, Cleverley could be an excellent ball-winning central-midfielder, who could be deployed to control the tempo of the game once he becomes comfortable. He can remain focused, play the simple ball, and work as a typical English midfielder – no flair or tricks, but they’re simply not needed in his style. With minimal pressure on the 25-year-old due to the lack of a transfer fee, I expect big things from Cleverley despite his lacklustre spell with Manchester United. Onwards and upwards is the way for him now.
James Clark, The Villains Voice (Aston Villa): Under the right system Cleverley is a very positive midfielder. He always wants the ball, which was great for Villa in his time at the club. Given the freedom he’ll do well for most Premier league teams.
Paddy Boyland, Read Everton: The capture of Tom Cleverley on a Bosman could turn out to be a remarkably astute piece of business by Roberto Martinez. This signing has been in the pipeline for a while now, and will thus come as no surprise to anyone associated with Everton Football Club.
The energetic, box-to-box midfielder is certainly not the finished package, and will need to address several flaws in his game, yet at 25 still has the best years of his career ahead of him. Cleverley, who was a target for the Manchester United boo boys during his time at the Old Trafford side, enjoyed something of a renaissance under Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood in the second half of last season, playing in a fluid 4-3-3 and impressing against the likes of Everton and Liverpool. His fragile confidence, it is hoped, will be given a further boost by Martinez’s brand of optimistic management. Martinez is a known admirer of the ex-Manchester United midfielder and Cleverley, it is believed, was keen to sign for his former Wigan manager. Indeed, a move to Everton was probably best for his career at this moment in time.
I’ve always been impressed by his work-rate, technique and willingness to take the ball in any given situation. He’s also a versatile midfielder who could play from the left in a 4-2-3-1 midfielder (as he did under Martinez at Wigan), as a central midfielder as part of a narrow 3-man midfielder, or as a holding midfielder in a 4-1-4-1/4-2-3-1. It’s this type of creative midfielder that Everton are crying out for at the moment, given the veritable lack of assists from the likes of Barkley and McCarthy, and the recurrent injury problems of old-timers Pienaar and Osman. Personally, I still believe he needs to be more positive in the final third, create more chances, and score more goals if he’s to receive an England recall. It remains to be seen if Cleverley can do this effectively- my guess is we’re still lacking a creative number 10 as well- but one thing is for certain: Evertonians must get behind the lad and give him a fair chance to impress. Who knows, he may just surprise us like James McCarthy and Darron Gibson did…
Thanks to James, James and Kane for their time.
