I'm really excited about him this season, you could see the difference it made in his performance playing for United and not a team managed by Stuart Pearce
Tom Cleverley | 2012-14 Performances
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The biggest difference for him is this; if he looks forward he has Chicharito making runs, Rooney demanding the ball, Kagawa always giving him an outlet, Nani & Valencia ready to receive it wide. For TeamGB he had Marvin Sordell ready to miscontrol it and Sturridge ready to mishit a shot into the 46th row.
Aye.
Sometimes I really do wonder whether people read the posts they comment on.
I am just hoping he stays injury free this upcoming season.
Did you even bother to read the post before replying?
He specifically says that his playing style reminds him of Xavi, whilst obviously conceding that he's not anywhere near him right now.
He's not hyping him at all.
Oh dear, read what Irwin said before making assumptions from yourself!
So basically, we're all agreed that he's the next Xavi-Scholes super midfielder?
I think he'll work a treat with Carrick in a midfield pairing, with Kagawa ahead of them.
Yep. It's really important he stays fit.
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It stands to reason he will remind people of certain players if he openly admits to watching them and trying to emulate their game. The funny thing is we talk about potential but how many times has Tom been in the top 3 best players on the park? He's been consistant. If he can add goals to his play, he'll be a top top player.
Huge season ahead for Tom. I really just hope he can stay free from any niggling or major injuries. What I love most about him is that he does the simple things well. Something Anderson fed off when they were paired together. Ando used to be guilty of trying too much but when he played with Tom they focused on one touch passing and moving into space to receive the ball.
Oh and, these Xavi comparisons are really uncalled for. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here, that's scouser-esque
Oh and, these Xavi comparisons are really uncalled for. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here, that's scouser-esque
Have a feeling Tom is rated very highly within the club, and could be the main reason we've refused to invest in a central midfielder.
As I said there are shitloads of goods midfielders who do just what you described very well, and better than Cleverley. Xavi happens to be a great midfielder. When you say "reminds me of Xavi" that is a direct comparison to the player, his ability and his playing style.
Cleverley is a promising midfielder who in my opinion does not remind me of Xavi in the slightest. It's a lazy comparison (if we have to make them I just don't see the point). If I were to make any kind of observation he strikes me more as similar to the playing style of a young Roy Keane. Energy, drive, direct short passing into feet, winning it back, recycling it etc. He's nothing like Xavi other than the fact he can receive a pass, take a touch and move it on while finding space to receive it again.
I just don't see the need to make lazy comparisons between a simply promising youngster and someone who is perhaps the greatest modern midfielder still playing the game. Its the pointlessness of it I suppose but whatever you can post what u like as you say its an observation nothing more.
smashing little player this kid.
I look forward to seeing a bit more of him this coming season. Stay injury free and we certainly have one to watch.
I look forward to seeing a bit more of him this coming season. Stay injury free and we certainly have one to watch.
If we had a fully fit Fletcher as well I would be very confident of PL success.
Come on mate, you say it's lazy to compare Cleverley to Xavi, then compare him to Keane in the same sentence.
Yeah, looking at how clev played and with ando, scholes, giggs, powell and even Kagawa about I'm not concerned with the creative side if they can stay fit. It's the more defensive/physical side, where with only Carrick available an injury could really hurt us.
He really is Xavi in disguise.
Did you even bother to read the post before replying?
He specifically says that his playing style reminds him of Xavi, whilst obviously conceding that he's not anywhere near him right now.
He's not hyping him at all.
Didn't realise he needed you to reply on his behalf. Yes I read every little word of the post thank you. To me any direct comparison to Xavi is hype of the highest order.
I've explained my interpretation of it and the reasoning for the response.
So whilst saying it's lazy to be making comparisons to Xavi you make the exact same comparison in the way he can receive a pass, take a touch and move it on while finding space to receive it again. I'd also like to add the way he shields the ball with his body, you go on to make your own comparisons to one of the other greatest players to have played mid-field. (who IMO Clev's style bears no resemblance to at all).
Ok, that's a reasonable argument!
How so? I don't feel hyped when my mates say I play like Berbatov. And the gulf is much much bigger than between Tom an Xavi. It's perfectly normal to talk like that and I'm sure you've done this in your lifetime many times.
Unless Xavi is sort of God figure that you can't speak of, let alone compare playing styles.
Unless Xavi is sort of God figure that you can't speak of, let alone compare playing styles.
I agree.
Seems ludicrous that comparing playing styles is somehow being construed as being a direct comparison betweewn the two.
On the other hand, had be made a brash statement about Cleverley and Xavi being of similar ability - I would expect nothing but ridicule - he didn't, though.
So you think he's more like Roy Keane than Xavi.
Maybe watch a bit of Roy Keane earlier in his career before you add your little green face to a post? Keane was a dynamo circa 1994-97 and in those years he was all over the pitch but still keeping the play ticking over. I'm not one for comparisons but I sure as hell don't see the similarity with Xavi at all.
Maybe you would like to tell me what you think?
To be fair, Cleverley is nothing like Xavi or Roy Keane.
Still baffles me how aesthetically like Scholes he looks in his movement!
So whilst saying it's lazy to be making comparisons to Xavi you make the exact same comparison in the way he can receive a pass, take a touch and move it on while finding space to receive it again. I'd also like to add the way he shields the ball with his body, you go on to make your own comparisons to one of the other greatest players to have played mid-field. (who IMO Clev's style bears no resemblance to at all).
Ok, that's a reasonable argument!
I was reiterating your comparison....and again I said there are shitloads of good midfielders who do the exact same thing we are not talking special abilities here. Every good midfielder should have these attributes in his armoury.....so why pick Xavi who's game is much more varied to Cleverleys'? And "the way he shields the ball" is just another quality shared by other good midfielders. I just think your comparison is lazy and borne out of a hidden desire to see Cleverley as something he is not...and never will be.
I offered a comparison out of courtesy really, its obvious he's not the same as a young Keane but its a better comparison than Xavi I feel. Anyway... for the record I like Cleverley...you appear to love him at least we are on the same wavelength there.
Yeh that was a clever little thing you did...nice one. I offered the comparison out of couertesy reallybut yeh it was probably unnecessary.
He reminds me of a young iggy pop.
Well he's IMO clearly most similar to the likes of Scholes, Xavi and Iniesta in terms of playing style. He's a diminutive midfielder who relies on his ability to think extremely quickly, use his vision and pass the ball accurately. There's definitely a bit of those players in him. He's even commented about trying to learn from the way they play. And you can see it in how he does.
However, they aren't legends of the game because of just those attributes and that's why he's nowhere near their level right now. They are players who are well rounded and brilliant in many more areas than just those three (for example, Scholes' goal threat/long passing and Iniesta's dribbling) and know how to control big games and also have proper positional discipline. Also, they're more talented in those three aspects than him as well.
So yeah, he's not at that level. But he's in that mould for me. They're complete genuses. He's just a talented young player who shares some similarities.
Now imagine if Cleverly possessed Gibson's shot . All jokes aside he is a tremendously hardworking and efficient player. Always moving and finding space keep things simple yet effective. I think he is a dream midfield partner for one touch quick passers like Kagawa and Scholes. Almost always gets his one touch passes right on the money.
. All jokes aside he is a tremendously hardworking and efficient player. Always moving and finding space keep things simple yet effective. I think he is a dream midfield partner for one touch quick passers like Kagawa and Scholes. Almost always gets his one touch passes right on the money.I think the main thing with him is, he simply isn't particularly annoying.
Most of our other players in CM are annoying at times, or have annoying habits. Like Paul Scholes now being unable not to give the ball away once every match as virtually the last man(only once though), even though he never loses the ball otherwise and is quite clearly brilliant. Or Michael Carrick possessing a vagina in place of balls.
Or Darren Fletcher dying. Or Anderson launching passes with the velocity of a grenade being launched out of a grenade launcher at neck height. Or Giggs giving away possession for absolutely no reason at all while trying to play a 70-yard pass with his eyes closed, while handstanding, with his backheel.
Tom Cleverley simply isn't annoying in any of these sort of ways.I think that means he's doing something right.
Most of our other players in CM are annoying at times, or have annoying habits. Like Paul Scholes now being unable not to give the ball away once every match as virtually the last man(only once though), even though he never loses the ball otherwise and is quite clearly brilliant. Or Michael Carrick possessing a vagina in place of balls.
Or Darren Fletcher dying. Or Anderson launching passes with the velocity of a grenade being launched out of a grenade launcher at neck height. Or Giggs giving away possession for absolutely no reason at all while trying to play a 70-yard pass with his eyes closed, while handstanding, with his backheel.
Tom Cleverley simply isn't annoying in any of these sort of ways.I think that means he's doing something right.
Love the euphemism for 'Recent England managers need their heads checked'.
Anyway, delighted for the lad.
(Note to self: is never worth it)
Have I ever told you I want to be just like you when I grow up?
forgot that he has yet to make his international debut. anyway nice to see another academy lad becoming an international player.
Anyone know which academy has produced the most England internationals?
Aston Villa according to this --> http://www.google.com.jm/url?sa=t&r...r0eZsJmbHscewTJ-A&sig2=fuwcSl4XR4O2ZilpH-sxmQ
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