Reports: Cleverley chooses Everton over Villa

If this is our only signing or something, IÂ’ll be very disappointed.

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ThereÂ’s nearly three months to go before the transfer window closes. DonÂ’t let it ruin your summer just yet. We might, just might sign another player or two before then.

I don’t see him as an out-and-out Number 10 but – if we can get a speedster in to go with what we have – Cleverley definitely gives us an extra dimension.

I can only see this move as blocking more essential areas of squad development. Pienaar held the ball up well, linked up brilliantly with Baines, and could control the tempo of our passing at his best.

Cleverley cannot play from the wide positions like Pienaar, nor does he have his passing ability. Putting him wide will be putting another square peg in a round hole. He should be considered as a CM, but this is not an area where we need additional players at the moment.

Maybe skipping Austria might be a good thing. Moyes always did it and look how slow we were out of the blocks every year.

I donÂ’t see him as an Osman type. HeÂ’s not as creative and does not get as many goals or assists. HeÂ’s more of a McCarthy type with good energy and technique who rarely loses the ball, partly due to passing sideways more than forwards.

He is move towards possession football rather than the more direct style that saw an upturn in our results last season.

I suspect weÂ’ll see plenty such signings in the next year or so, so letÂ’s get used to it.

Just one decent playmaker, Roberto. Please!

HeÂ’s a free agent so no transfer fee for a Premier League player with international experience is not to be sniffed at.

I know he wonÂ’t change the dynamic in how we play but in the face of players getting injured or losing form then having Cleverley can be handy

A young Man Utd trained footballer for free. No brainer. Martinez knows all about this lad and trusts him. So do I. Sherwood wanted to keep him but knew he was always coming to Everton. Needless to say, IÂ’m delighted.

What’s with saying "signing him this early... - it doesnÂ’t say much for our ambition"? We needed to move quick because other teams were interested and the player himself said he wanted his future sorted out quickly. If weÂ’d left it too late and heÂ’d signed for Villa then went on to be an important player for them next season, finishing above us and managed to resurrect his England career, the board would have been slated for not acting fast enough to get him in the first place.

For some people our board canÂ’t win either way!

He is on a free and that more than anything else is why heÂ’s on his way. As ever, we seem desperately short of transfer funds and if I hear the excuse of Lukaku for 㿈M one more time, I will scream! That bloody acquisition is going to be the reason we canÂ’t afford anyone for the next three years!

Okay, tbh I get that itÂ’s a squad addition but where he fits in is the question and I just donÂ’t see him as a big influence when we so badly need a CB, a real left winger who isnÂ’t operating out of position, and yes, Roberto, another striker as your protestations about how we donÂ’t need a further striker are crazy nonsense!

Everton, itÂ’s all just so Everton....

However, I am happy that (if he has to come) we are getting him in early for a full preseason.

Maybe time for Pienaar to step down? I feel Ossie has another year left in him but Pienaar is done.

And he did a job for us.

As long as we bring others in, I think itÂ’ll be a decent bit of busines.s

Even still, I think itÂ’s a solid signing, but one not to set the pulses racing. I think more people are underwhelmed because heÂ’s the first signing of the summer, simple as, and then there is that fear of "IS THAT IT???!!!!"

Versatility is an asset thought.

But if we could tempt Villa to take Barry back home and off the payroll it may be work out alright. As much as I like Barry he’s too slow and too old in football years – which are kind of like dog years.

As for not falling in line with other members. Well neither does Roberto Martinez and he knows more about football than all of them put together.

Surely he is more of a McCarthy type player? I wonder if J Mac is on his way out? Selling McCarthy for 㾼-20m and getting in Cleverley on a free would not be the worst business in the world, especially if that money was spent on a really top class No. 10......

Would have much preferred Milner who is going across the park. That lad combines great work ethic with no small amount of creativity and will do well for them I think.

Time to sack off Mirallas and McGeady. Raise a few funds, go all out to get in Nollito, Deuloufeu on loan, Van Djik and Lennon. Ings would also be very welcome. ThatÂ’s my personal wish list for what itÂ’s worth.

With McCarthy, Besic, Barry, Gibson and Cleverley – we’re now over stocked in the CM dept. Gibson will be going into the last year of his contract and cannot be relied upon and Barry won’t be able to play every game as he turns 35 next season, so presume it’ll be McCarthy/Cleverley to start in the middle.

I’m not too unhappy with this as long as there are at least two more first team signings this summer – not back-up players. We desperately need some pace and creativity in midfield. After that the next position of importance depends on who stays/goes this summer.

One in, on a ’free’ and not yet July – better start than last time.

To be fair, some of my favourite (recent) Everton players were not the flashy skilled goalscoring headline-grabbing players, but players like Carsley, Parkinson, Stubbs, Arteta & Cahill who were under-the-radar signings who would put in a shift, graft first and then play the football after the battle was won.

Cleverley’s not the most dynamic player ever, but quite tidy and a saleable asset down the line acquired on a free. Like I say, I wasnÂ’t doing cartwheels when I found out, but welcome aboard, Tom; just give it your all, kid. If you do, we will get right behind you. COYB.

And I donÂ’t think heÂ’s a Number 10 either, heÂ’s a box-to-box, hope it works out for him, good age and hasnÂ’t been given a real chance yet.

However, from the limited observations I have of him, he will offer us little creativity and will be in competition with Barry, Besic, McCarthy & Gibson for a CM spot. Maybe he is BarryÂ’s long-term replacement, in which case, IÂ’m cool with his signing.

I just hope he doesnÂ’t talk about how being in his mid-twenties, that he wants to win trophies and play in the Champions League, or heaven help the poor boy on this site.

This and three or four more signings, with that elusive No 10 and a centre-half amongst them.

Just what we need, another player who can pass sideways. Totally underwhelmed!

I also worry that, as a Martinez signing, the wages he’ll be on, and his profile, he could be another unmovable regular – which would be fine if he is good enough... but not if he isn’t – and if he prevents more talented players coming through.

I just hope he isnÂ’t signed to make up the numbers and be seen as a defensive midfielder because Ledson needs to be playing next season, while Besic and McCarthy should be first choice for that position. ThatÂ’s not even mentioning Barry, who will probably still be first choice, with McCarthy and Gibson in the background.

Still, this could be a good move and good business sense. It could be that Cleverley turns out to be a decent playmaker/attacker and offers good competition for Barkley, his value could go up, and we have another valuable asset on our hands ready to be sold when the next generation are ready to come through to replace him, or to use the funds to replace with a younger, better player.

If he signs, I will be underwhelmed but, of course, heÂ’ll have my support.

Unusual for ToffeeWeb Rumour Mill discussion.

This has to be a total no-brainer. The lad has been brought up by SAF, has international experience, is only 25 and has shown strength of character in taking dreadful abuse on social media but fighting back to have a much better season at Villa.

To those saying we are well off in CM – Gibson sadly cannot string a run of games together, Pienaar seems injury prone, Osman, Barry and Pienaar are getting old, Ross has had an awful season... and this is a free transfer for heaven’s sake! Much better bet than a 29-year-old Milner and I just hope this is confirmed in due course.

Excellent business – we acquire a guy for free who we could sell on at easily ٣-8M the next day – what is wrong with that?

Another small player after losing Distin and Alcaraz and we already had the shortest team in the league. ItÂ’s not everything, but we need balance and this team will get bullied by the likes of Stoke et al.

Still always a pleasure to hear your (mostly) common sense remarks which I (mostly) always agree with.

Did anyone say creep???? FEA.

Transfer stories can be a bit of a balancing act but this one was more than paper talk. A lot of respected media sources have more or less said itÂ’s "a goer".

That, combined with the fact that itÂ’s had the feel of a done deal for a while now (based on local media coverage and our own insider info) this one was moved out of the Rumour Mill to the main news, although I see that the Echo have cautioned that it’s NOT done yet.

Nevertheless, a bloke tweeted us earlier that his mateÂ’s wife will be doing the blood work for CleverleyÂ’s medical tomorrow so must be true... bloke on Twitter told me. :)

Like when Riquelme was seen at JL airport... ;-)

HeÂ’s the right age, no fee although of course thereÂ’s no such thing as a free player. HeÂ’s been well coached and has plenty to offer so I see no real downside. Plus we canÂ’t really attract top top players so yÂ’know...

And this from a man whoÂ’s more critical of Man Utd than the average Koppite. I guess IÂ’ll reserve judgement.

You make some very good points! I was on the fence but youÂ’ve convinced me!

The best bit is heÂ’s for free and he wants to play for our team. Come on doubters, give RM the credit he deserves in (hopefully) getting his signature on the dotted line. COYB.

WeÂ’re too quick to judge players from the outside and think there crap but letÂ’s give him the chance to show what he can do.

For free, I donÂ’t think itÂ’s that bad of a signing, if it happens like. HeÂ’s at a good age now where he needs to settle at a club and find his feet and form and hopefully thatÂ’s with us. HeÂ’s not a bad player, he works hard, full of energy, always shows for the ball and rarely wastes a pass either, although he isnÂ’t exactly adventurous with the ball but that may come out of him in time.

I mention this because too many people here are seeming to say Â’He might be crap but heÂ’s free, so what?Â’ Nothing could be further from the truth and he must be judged accordingly. Make no mistake, Claverley signing for Everton will make him a very rich young man.

Freebie, my arse!

"I think it’s a good signing but I can’t help but think it’s just another player who wasn’t good enough for Man Utd are a much bigger, much more successful, much bigger name than Everton, so your comment is completely true. WeÂ’re not, and probably never will be as big as Man Utd. WeÂ’re a mid-sized club with grand ideas among the fanbase, but small ideas within the club (this is not news to you or me or anyone!).

We did sell them the big gangly carthorse Fellaini though, so yÂ’know ;)

Under this joke of a manager itÂ’s Barry, McCarthy, Besic, McGeady and now Cleverley. It’s no wonder this Everton side can’t score goals and is so dull to watch.

CanÂ’t believe the comments stating that we are well covered in midfield. Barry has admitted that he played far too many games this season due to injuries. Gibson will be injured, McCarthy could break down again and Besic isn’t ready to be regular. Barry is the only one that we can rely on and heÂ’s 35!!!

Welcome aboard, Tom Cleverley. A good player, at a good age who will improve at Everton, and for free!

Brilliant first piece of business. Now go get a CB, LM and a RM.

He covers lots of ground has an eye for a pass and isnÂ’t afraid to put his foot in. We know that all players are "squad players" but this lad isnÂ’t coming to play second fiddle.

As for Everton making him rich, heÂ’s already rich. HeÂ’s been a Premier League player for five years, That makes him a millionaire.

WeÂ’ve got four established defensive midfielders already and a young lad who is good enough to make the breakthrough next season but, just in case we have the same amount of injuries as last season, weÂ’ll sign a sixth. ItÂ’s overly cautious considering the other positions that need strengthening.

Besic is going to improve so he will need more games; I donÂ’t expect McCarthy to be out with injury as much as last season, so he should get more games; Barry will still probably be first choice but wonÂ’t play as many games due to the fitness and progress of others; Gibson has a history of injuries but you would still expect him to figure a little; and finally thereÂ’s Ledson who I believe is ready to make the breakthrough next season if only to get a handful of Premier League games... but he is good enough and ready.

How many defensive midfielders does one team need?

Naismith is different too as his old club went bust so didnÂ’t effectively have a contract to run down

Not sure about Barry but my guess is that it was the same situation as Cleverley.

OK he is no Alan Ball (who is or ever could be?) but we have to be realistic and acknowledge that we cannot afford the very best but this lad can get better and his value an only increase from free.

We have to hope the likes of Besic and Barkley can perform to expectations alongside a watertight defence, or we are in for another shitty season.

IÂ’ve said it before, the millions that even the smallest clubs will now receive means they can offer wages and terms similar to Everton. We used to have an advantage of being perceived as a fairly big club like Villa, but the Premier League is levelling out for the clubs like us. Swansea, Stoke and even Norwich will be paying the going rate, so forget about us having the divine right to expect players to come to us these days.

I think we should be congratulating Martinez on making signings such as this, he will have had plenty of offers from other clubs.

I was fortunate enough to be able to get into St. LukeÂ’s and listen to the various speakers talking about Andy King and his love for Everton FC.

I really couldn’t care less whether we are able to compete with the other lot or any other club on the planet, because Everton FC are unique in the modern game – Soul, Soul, Soul – cannot be purchased and I’m so happy that I was born an Evertonian. Logic has nothing to do with football.

I’m not for one minute belittling anyone, or anything – merely stating that we as a club cannot attract the top top players these days. Lots of reasons why, but none of them are belittling.

I couldn’t care less if we can’t compete at the top either – in fact, if you’d read many of my other posts, you’d know that I hate things like the Champions League for what it’s done to football as a whole, likewise the Premier League itself in a lot of ways. That said, I watch both of them because they’re entertaining.

They are though, to the detriment of clubs like ours, and the gap between the haves & the have nots is getting bigger by the day.

IÂ’ve been an Evertonian for about 34 of my 41 years as I recall, and not once have I belittled the club itself or any of itÂ’s supporters. I do find myself having what I feel is a wider view than quite a few people on here which often rubs people up the wrong way.

I really did hope to avoid engaging with you for a while James (because I presume youÂ’ll just class it as a Â’personal attackÂ’ again), but have you ever stopped to think itÂ’s maybe the very making of a statement such as the one above that "rubs people the wrong way"?

In what way do you you have "a wider view than quite a few people on here"?

You know the Evertonians who wear blue-tinted specs all the time, and see us as having some sort of divine right to being the best – the whole Â’We are EvertonÂ’ camp. I find that a bit narrow minded, in today’s climate, John.

The type of player that we should have got last season to bolster the squad in Europe.

I’d count Barkley but he seems to have no concept of how to play one of those narrow midfield roles. It’s the main reason I don’t think heÂ’s at the level we all hoped. I don’t think his football brain is there. HeÂ’s got some tremendous qualities but he doesnÂ’t have enough. Off the ball, his football brain, positionally it isnÂ’t there.

Personally I would have no clue where you play him considering he is currently played as a non-goalscoring, no chance-creating, blocked-shot Number 10. Warnock said he didnÂ’t know what to do with him. Maybe a box-to-box or a kind of Lampard role at Chelsea would be best for him, to unlock what he does have. But the way Martinez likes to play and the systems he runs, I can only see more problems.

Anyway... we really could do with a player who can fill this type of midfield combination play role. Martinez has said heÂ’s after a 10, hopefully this fella can play right/left half as well.

Otherwise Pienaar had better have a great pre-season of fitness.

Obviously, everybody knows we are nowhere near the force we once were and (barring some miracle) weÂ’re unlikely to ever gain much ground on clubs who continued to grow and evolve while Everton stagnate.

Some just donÂ’t like to admit or arenÂ’t prepared to accept it, is all. Which is fair enough, in my opinion.

If we allow ourselves to be governed by logic alone and give in fully to the futility of most modern football, then we may as well just pack in following it altogether, because weÂ’d be doing nothing every Saturday but going through the motions, like zombies shuffling round a shopping mall.

That is exactly what it was like last season and I only see more if not worse to come.

I refuse to acknowledge that the RS can ever have a better team than us and believe 100% that we will produce a team of home-grown players who will do what Man Utd did in the nineties and blow everyone else away.
Step forward Ledson, Galloway, Stones, Kenny, Green, Walsh, Barkley(??), Henen, Long, etc – your time is coming!

And heÂ’s apparently after Van Dijk as well. I want us to go for him too. Although a very good player we have missed out on is Fabian Schar, who has joined Hoffenheim on a free. ThatÂ’s a very good signing for them.

It’s not just about money for players – it’s how the manager of the time handles/directs them. It’s about fostering team spirit and togetherness and a bit of killer instinct. Being ’nice’ to them (and us) is not a necessary ingredient.

Dave, youÂ’ve suffered the pain for almost the same time as I have but somehow kept the faith. And good on you. Mine is in the bin.

A mate of mine works at Portsmouth FC and visiting him there is very sad because you see a proud old club which has suffered beyond measure and is desperately trying to drag itself back from the abyss (and succeeding albeit slowly).

The point here is they still get around 17,000 fans per home game all still hoping that they will get back to former glories and hope is what keeps us all going. We hope to see a marvelous goal or a wonderful piece of individual or collective skill, a fantastic flying save from a shot heading for the top corner and, most of all, for our team to win playing vibrant entertaining football.

I canÂ’t wait for the new season now!!

Try to keep the faith, Phil – we can’t afford to lose our loyal fans.

Another fella butted in: "I didnÂ’t, I didnÂ’t like him and our kid couldnÂ’t stand him."

I asked why and he said, "He signed for THEM, didnÂ’t he."

So I said "You didnÂ’t like Sheedy or Morrissey then?"

Yes of course," he replied, "but that was different, they came the other way"!!!!!!.

Logic, brilliant isnÂ’t it!!!!

Football has to be about that hope, the dreams, the convincing yourself that it might just happen. And you know what? One day it will.

But so true!

I am shaking my head in disbelief that RM will again play with two or even three defensive midfielders with only one up front. We need creativity and signing of Cleverley will not improve us in that area.