Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
Cleverley: Everton ticked all the boxes
22 Comments 
Cleverley was officially unveiled at Finch Farm today after signing a five-year contract
The 25-year-old, a free agent after his contract at Manchester United expired, was announced as Roberto Martinez's first signing of the close season last month but he officially signed a five-year deal at Finch Farm today.
Cleverley spent last season on loan at Aston Villa after a deadline-day move to Goodison Park collapsed at the last minute last September but Martinez bided his time and persuaded him to join Everton this summer.
Villa boss Tim Sherwood was keen for Cleverley to stay but the player explained that resuming his relationship with Martinez, under whom he played a Wigan Athletic during loan spell five years ago, was just one of the big draws to the Blues.
“I'm delighted to be joining because it's a fantastic Club,” he exclusively told evertontv. “There is an all-round package with the history of the Club, the great players that are currently here, the manager and the fans. It's definitely the Club I wanted to play for.
“I think Roberto is a great manager and I'm massively looking forward to working with him again. We obviously had a year at Wigan together that I really enjoyed. He knows me and he knows how I like to play, so hopefully we can hit it off again come the start of the season.
“[The move] happened quite quickly, but he told me about how passionate the fans are here and about the young players who play high-energy football like myself, so hopefully I can fit right in with the squad."
Cleverley has Champions League experience from his time with United and he is hoping he can get back on the Continental stage with Everton, while he also looking forward to experiencing Goodison as a home player.
He could get the chance as early as the opening day of the season when the Toffees entertain Watford to kick off the 2015-16 season.
“Getting back into Europe is definitely something I'm thinking about. European football is something clubs this size deserve to be in and I've had good experiences in Europe in the past, so hopefully there is more to come at Everton.
“It's difficult to think about targets so soon, but it's a Club that can definitely be fighting towards that top six hopefully go on a good cup run, which was something I was lucky enough to experience this year.”
“Playing at Goodison Park is something that excites me,” he added. “I've always said it's one of the hardest places to come as an away player because it creates one of the best atmospheres, especially when the team is on top.
“I've always enjoyed playing there — it's one of those really exciting grounds and I'm genuinely excited to be here.”
Reader Comments (22)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
3 Posted 01/07/2015 at 16:39:50
4 Posted 01/07/2015 at 16:43:26
7 Posted 01/07/2015 at 17:10:52
8 Posted 01/07/2015 at 18:15:26
9 Posted 01/07/2015 at 19:00:09
IÂ’m not entirely convinced who or what the midfield is going to be or if Martinez even knows himself but the more the merrier.
We do still badly need a creative source though plus a more mobile striker.
10 Posted 01/07/2015 at 20:59:48
For those old enough, who can honestly hold their hands up and say they would have approved of the Peter Reid transfer at the time? Hardly remarkable and injury-ridden...... Well, the rest is history.
Sometimes certain players and certain clubs are the perfect fit. Welcome to something that will Â’touch youÂ’ and Â’nothing will ever be the sameÂ’.
11 Posted 01/07/2015 at 21:11:44
12 Posted 01/07/2015 at 21:34:26
15 Posted 01/07/2015 at 22:38:50
I have a good feeling about him, reckon heÂ’ll be a fan favourite come end of season.
Midfield 3 out of Barkley, McCarthy, Besic, Barry, Osman and Cleverly. Good mixture of youth and experience, and decent balance too. With two players fighting for each starting position. Excellent.
16 Posted 01/07/2015 at 23:20:06
1. Premier League
2. League Cup
3. FA Cup
Then the season after weÂ’re going to WIN;
1. Premier League
2. FA Cup
3. League Cup
4. Champions League
5. UEFA Super Cup
6. Club World Cup
7. Charity Shield
All you doubters out there WATCH and SEE......WATCH and SEE...
Hahahahaha — defo had too much tonight.
17 Posted 02/07/2015 at 00:29:43
18 Posted 02/07/2015 at 03:20:03
19 Posted 02/07/2015 at 08:43:15
Â’There is an all-round package with the history of the ClubÂ’ – fine, when specifically talking of Everton.
But...
Â’ItÂ’s difficult to think about targets so soon, but itÂ’s a Club that can definitely be fighting towards that top sixÂ’ – it doesnÂ’t really fit in this context.
I canÂ’t say for sure who is to blame for these crimes, but IÂ’d like to put forward that Mr Martinez steps forward, accepts responsibility as manager and resigns.
20 Posted 02/07/2015 at 09:45:44
22 Posted 02/07/2015 at 11:33:33
Phil may have a problem with your use of capital letters though. Fortunately he will blame Martinez and call for his head.
23 Posted 02/07/2015 at 12:25:45
Fasten your seatbelt, as itÂ’s going to be a bumpy ride for all involved.
I was underwhelmed with the signing of McCarthy, but he turned out alright, letÂ’s hope this goes the same way.
24 Posted 02/07/2015 at 12:53:46
1. A club that is not in relegation battles every year for the last few years. Check.
2. A club that is willing to pay me a lot of money over a long period and is currently at a level so that a player with my limited skill set may actually be able to play? Check.
3. A club where the fans will love me if I donÂ’t talk about CL aspirations and I do run around like a headless chicken. Check.
4. A club that actually made me an offer, umm, the only one to do so. Check.
5. I am not Belgian so the fans will like me no matter what. Check.
Actually hope he does well but his history seems to indicate mediocrity with a few excellent games sprinkled here and there.
25 Posted 03/07/2015 at 14:23:23
26 Posted 03/07/2015 at 22:11:59
28 Posted 05/07/2015 at 21:15:53
29 Posted 06/07/2015 at 19:44:25
Welcome Tom. You know a bit about Goodison already – thatÂ’s a very good start!
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
Top of the Page
2 Posted 01/07/2015 at 16:40:11
We were definitely more pedestrian like than high energy last season. Hopefully we see a return of this Â’high energyÂ’ football that Tom thinks we play.