Tom ‘Xavi and Iniesta’ Cleverley off to Watford

Daniel Storey

Everton midfielder Tom Cleverley is off to Watford on loan subject to medical, according to reports.

Cleverley has wholly failed to impress Ronald Koeman this season, and was hardly a key player under Roberto Martinez either. At some point we’re going to have to accept that he’s not very good.

According to Sky Sports, Watford have agreed a loan deal until the end of the season, with an option to make it permanent. That’s about his level, unfortunately.

With Morgan Schneiderlin adding competition in central midfield at Goodison, Cleverley’s chances of improving upon his four league starts this season looked slim. The hope is that he impresses as a bigger fish in small pond. Cleverley joined Watford on loan from Manchester United earlier in his career.

Now it’s time to revisit those Cleverley quotes from 2011, just because:

“From my point of view to study at close quarters Messi, Xavi and Iniesta was invaluable. Messi is wonderful but I think I can model my game on Xavi and Iniesta and also Pedro.

“The movement from those guys is incredible. They are not massive physically but they stay on the ball. They shield it so well. They used their body brilliantly.

“I need to get that into my game. My upper body strength has to be better but it is not all about working out in the gym it is also about how you use your body.”

It hasn’t gone well.