Could Tom be Clever-ley used at Old Trafford next season?- (sorry)
Watching Jack Wilshere usurp Gareth Bale as the ‘greatest player in the history of association football,’ against Barcelona at the Emirates last night, I couldn’t help but be a tad jealous of the Gooners.
Wilshere was a contender for man of the match and the fact he’s only 19 years-old means he has a very bright future ahead of him, one that may or may not be at Arsenal.
Whilst watching Wilshere, put in a performance that by rights no teenager should be putting in against the ‘unofficial’ world’s best team, it dawned on me that despite his youth his apprenticeship has already been well served.
Wilshere was given the chance to mature at Bolton last season, where he excelled for Owen Coyle’s side and got used to not only the pressure but also the pace and physical nature of top flight football, which no amount of reserve games can truly prepare you for.
I couldn’t help but think of United’s very own Tom Cleverley, currently enjoying a tough loan spell at relegation candidates, Wigan. When I say tough, I’m certainly not inferring Cleverley has found the going tough, as he’s been one of the Latics few bright sparks in a typically difficult season. Cleverley recently returned from a one month lay out to come off the bench against both Blackburn and Liverpool. In both games he showed Roberto Martinez exactly what he’s been missing, tightening things up against Blackburn and showing his attacking abilities in the game against ‘King Kenny’s rejuvenated Liverpool’ side.
With Wigan’s next game being against United it’s not going to be until March when the youngster will get his chance to face ‘former’ title challengers, the massivest club in the world- Manchester City.
Regardless of how long before Cleverley next plays, there can be no denying his time at the DW has been a huge success and three goals plus an assist in only ten starts-plus five more as sub- is not to be sniffed at.
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Last season Cleverly went on loan to Watford where he scored 11 goals in 33 games and was the club’s player of the season. This season Cleverley’s shown his worth to the Wigan side, and his game seems to have progressed as not only as he made the step up from Championship to Premier League but also that he is more than just an attacking midfielder.
He’s been used in several positions and has shown that he’s not afraid to get stuck in and mix it up a bit, just like his more famous Arsenal counterpart.
Although, Wilshere is two years younger than Cleverley and has arguably progressed a lot quicker, by giving him a run in the side- he’s played all but three EPL games for the Gunners this season- Wenger is now reaping the benefits.
Cleverley and Wilshere have played for the England Under 21’s together and both were tipped for a bright future. Wilshere’s ascendancy has been nothing short of meteoric going from the U-21’s to the England first team in a matter of months. While he was originally thought of as an attacking midfielder, Wilshere now plays in a much more deeper lying role- even causing Fabio Capello to come out with the ridiculous statement that he could be England’s Claude Makelele.
The reason I find that statement ridiculous is that not only was Makelele arguably the best defensive midfielder in the CL era but also Wilshere’s use in that position is far from assured. There’s still a chance he could be used as a more box to box type.
Cleverley seems to prosper best as an attacking midfielder but his ability to get stuck in and his energy, makes me think he could be used, like Wilshere in a deeper lying role, or perhaps even just as an orthodox CM- remember they do still exist.
With United crying out for a successor to Scholes, even if he doesn’t retire at the end of the season, Cleverley could fulfill that role, if given the chance. There’s no secret that Sir Alex has money to spend in the Summer and the smart money seems to be on a midfielder joining United, but as the manager has always stated he isn’t prepared to spend over the odds on any new recruits. There aren’t too many world-class midfielders available unless you’re willing to pay a large amount, especially on the continent. It comes as no surprise that names such as Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson have been linked with a move to Old Trafford as although they won’t be cheap, neither should be over the £20 million mark.
This season United’s two biggest surprises have been Chicharito and Smalling, who’ve shown that youth and inexperience are irrelevant if you’ve got an abundance of talent and a mature attitude.
Jack Wilshere has shown the world what a supremely talented young player, who’s served his apprenticeship can do at the highest level. The question I’ve got is why can’t Cleverley do the same for United next season?
In my opinion, given the chance he can.
Follow Redflagflyinghigh on twitter @RFFH and the writer of this article @jaymotty
in terms of playing style.. there really is a huge difference btwn Cleverly and Wilshere. Tom is more of an attacking midfielder why Jack is your typical all round central midfielder.
i’ve been following these two for a while now and i’ve always considered both players to be on par in terms of skill and talent. Its obvious that Jack is miles ahead in terms of development but i long to see the day when Jack plays as the chief playmaker and Tom as a support striket/Bergkamp role in a 4 5 1..
What i dont understand tho.. is the fact that To m is out loan as he has more talents then Carrick, Anderson, Bebe, Park J and Fletcher put together.. sell him to the Arse 🙂
Cleverley is a good hardworking modern winger.
But it’s still very unlikely he’ll make it at ManU, where he’s got Nani and Valencia and to a degree Rooney and Park ahead of him.
I’m not counting Giggs but at the end of the day big clubs like ManU don’t have time to develop guys unless they are amazing talents and will buy expensive ready made players who will go straight past the youth guys. That’s why they’re all out on loan. Arsenal have 18 players on loan or something like that. They’ll be lucky if 2 make it. The future of the Man U midfield is NOT Pogba, Morrison and Cleverley.
It’s playing for three different foreign teams (probably, if it’s a three).
Wilshere is the exception becaused he is exceptionally good. Exceptionally good players will always make it barring injury and idiocy BUT even then to get to where Arsenal are now with a squad dominated by home-ish grown-ish players in their early twenties who can come back from 0-1 against Barca (but who can still let in 4 in half an hour againt Newcastle as soon as 2 or 3 of the first team aren’t there) required a lot of developmental time losing against people like Fulham and all the properly big teams to get there.
I don’t think Man U have the patience for that. Arsenal probably wouldn’t have either except for the new stadium even if the results are starting to seem a bit more worthwhile now.
I note your comment: ” … big clubs like ManU don’t have time to develop guys unless they are amazing talents and will buy expensive ready made players who will go straight past the youth guys. That’s why they’re all out on loan. Arsenal have 18 players on loan or something like that. They’ll be lucky if 2 make it. The future of the Man U midfield is NOT Pogba, Morrison and Cleverley.”
My question to you therefore is, how did Gibson make it through the youth squads to get so many games in out midfield?
As is glaringly obvious to all United supporters, Gleverly is infinitely more talented and a much, much better footballer than Gibson (to name just one)will ever be … in whatever role he plays!
I sincerely hope you’re wrong and that Cleverly”s apprenticeship will be ended this year and that he, along with Danny Welbeck, will be back in the home fold and helping us win things in in typical United style.
PS I saw Cleverley at Watford last year with Lansbury of Arsenal (the Championship is starting to be about who you can get on loan) and they both looked ok, Cleverley a bit better but both in the probably Prem but probably not top Prem class.
i remember when a few years back i was telling manu fans of Fabregas and they were skeptical. it is the same way some are skeptical about Wilshere now.Wilshere was certainly the most impressive midfielder last night and with hard work can become a better player than Fabregas. Like Fabregas he has vision, technique, creativity and passing ability but has more flair, skill, energy, grit and better in the tackle. He can be good as a defensive midfielder but is even better as a central attacking midfielder
if Ramsey comes back like the way he was before the injury, i wont mind if Fabregas goes. It is embarrassing the way Barca has harassed Arsenal just like the way Real Madrid harassed Man utd for Ronaldo. But Ronaldo has left and Man utd is still strong so I dont believe Arsenal will plummet if Fabregas leaves
Wiltshere showed that his skills are up there with the very best in the world-amazing for a 19 year old in his first season- given his age improvement is very likely.
With due respect to Cleverley- who is a very good prospect he is not in the same category yet. You need to face facts- Arsenal make stars- United buy stars and so far it has worked for you given the number of championships you have won-
But when United spend millions on buying midfield stars it needs to be understood by United fans- that they are restricting the development of their own young players like Tom Cleverley.
What an idiot?
Firstly you can’t even spell your own player’s name right and then you have the cheek to say you make stars but we buy them.
All your best players have come from elsewhere: Nasri – Marseille
RVP – Feynoord
Cesc – Barcelona
Wilshere is QUALITY but we have cultivated Scholes, Giggs, Beckham I could go back further to the 60s and earlier to bring up Best, Edwards, Charlton.
Back to the point, I think people have missed the point in trying to compare the two players all that was asked was if Tom could be our own Wilshere in that he steps into the team and has a similar effect in doing what he does best rather than trying to imitate Wilshere.
I think Tom has the energy and talent to make it at United, he was head and shoulders above everyone at Watford, Lansbury is a friend of a friend and even he agreed that Cleverley has the talent. He just needs a chance (that would mean not splashing out on Adam or Henderson) and time to bed into the team.
Mate,you are wrong
Yes you have a history of developing your own but you have not been doing much of that in recent years-which is why you are still playing Scholes and Giggs in their late 30s instead of blooding young players- and yes for several years you have been buying stars and usually pay top dollar for them too e.g. Anderson, Carrick, Ferguson, Berbatov, Rooney,Valencia, Ferdinand, Hargreaves, Nani, Van der Saar.
No Arsenal dont buy stars-they buy kids and unknowns that cost peanuts and they also develop their own school kids. Fabregas and Walcott were 16 when they were brought in.
Any kid thats out there now knows that if he goes to Arsenal he will get a chance-he doesnt know that at United.
You are just denying the obvious.
The truth is you lot havent a clue how good Cleverley is because your club have not given him the chance to play at the top level – so how can you say he’s better than Wilshere?
Insulting other fans is all your good at- why dont you try engaging your brain for once?
If cleverly gets a chance he will b better in a couple of years. Wilshire hasn’t proved anything yet, so what he had a brilliant game against barca although I think the better than bale comment is a bit silly
afc – so let me get this right clown, Wilshere is better than Nani, Anderson, Fletcher, Berbatov, Rooney, Giggs, Scholes, Chicharito, Carrick, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, that what you are saying is it not, if so than you are a right deluded idiot because he is not. Jackie better than Tom? NO, Cleverley is better than Wilshere, he just hasnt had as much media exposure and hype because he isnt in London. Rayray – Ando is better than Modric, Fletcher is better than Stevie me, but Fabregs is just above Park.
Rayray – I rather have rival fans hate me than be a coward like you who trashes his own players to big up rubbish who aint half as good. Fletcher has proved non-stop he is better than Stevie me, Ando has proved he is better than Modric and Park, aldo he isnt as talented as Fabs, he is a workhorse who is always moving. I dont give a damn what deluded Gunners or kiss ass “United fans” think, Cleverley is the real deal, the brightest English talent going and is more talented than Wilshere and Bale.
Cleverly is a great prospect but Wilshere is clearly better right now, in spite of being younger. Wilshere looked fantastic even at 16 in the League Cup a few years back. He’s a prodigy.