For some Everton fans, signing Tom Cleverley will feel a little like finding out that your in-laws are coming to stay for the weekend at short notice, just when you had confirmed plans to meet your mates for a medium to large one Friday evening, before watching football all weekend, armed with wall to wall comfort food and clad in your comfiest trackie bums – mildly disappointing to say the least.
For others, it will be seen as a rather positive move. This one is a gamble to some extent because the lad has blown hot, cold and never really given us compelling evidence that he is either really good or rubbish.
In short the Manchester United man arguably lacks a bit of personality about his game. He doesn’t have one overriding quality but is a pretty decent all rounder who Roberto Martinez obviously feels that he can work with. There has been Everton interest for some time and a deal looks close now according to ITV.com:
Press Association Sport understands talks between the player and club are at an advanced stage but, contrary to reports, the deal has not yet been completed.
The Guardian says:
Tom Cleverley joins Everton on free transfer from Manchester United
Cleverley: A bit underwhelming really
Everton fans will of course hope that this isn’t a prelude to the departure of Ross Barkley, who has also blown hot and cold, but is mustard. On the assumption that Barkley stays Everton will have a central midfield pool of Cleverley, Barkley, Barry, Besic, Osman, McCarthy and Darron Gibson – Clev might not even get game!
Anyway, let’s see the lad in action. Everton fans: In-laws or a rather good signing?
