28 Feb 2014 20:26:21
just seen in certain papers that a petition to stop tom cleverly from being in the world cup squad and they have between 3000 to 4000 thousand signitures the lad is not one of the best midfielders in the world but he dose not deserve that if it is true

1.) 28 Feb 2014
It's an absolute disgrace, I don't think he has done anything to deserve a call up this season but that is besides the point. Something like this could destroy the young lads career. As you all know I'm a Liverpool fan so I have no allegiance to him, but he has been involved with a few England squads and obviously DM and SAF saw something in him in training etc too.
I've been looking at Utd closely recently and there's not too many players have been playing any better than him tbh.
What I will say is unlike a lot of them, he goes out and gives 100% every time he pulls on the shirt. If the rest of them did the same Utd wouldn't be in the position they are in now. Maybe just maybe that's why he gets picked so often for club and country.

2.) 28 Feb 2014
That will affect his already brittle confidence no doubt . Who gives a toss about England anyway. I don't.

3.) 28 Feb 2014
Simon,

Cleverley has 0 assists and 1 goal all season. He's a poor tackler, and he rarely passes forward. Many of United's side are having poor seasons but to my mind, for whatever reason, Cleverley is maybe having the worst of all. He does not deserve to go to Brazil, let alone pull on a Manchester United shirt at the moment. He is one of those players who can play a decent part when he has great players around him, but he simply doesn't have the speed, skills, vision or creativity to be the spark. Would you swap him for Jordan Henderson or Coutinho?

That being said, whether he's called up is entirely a matter for the England manager, and for the fans to start a petition against him is despicable. The poor guy only makes 6.25m Euros a year, so it's not like he's being paid much!

4.) 28 Feb 2014
Peashooter,
if I'm honest, there's not 1 Utd player at the moment would get into the Liverpool squad but that wasn't the point. Two Utd managers, England's manager and a former Utd great who's part of his coaching staff, Gary Neville, obviously see something every time he trains to put him in the side/squad.
What I said was if the rest of the team put in the effort he did in every game then you would be in a better position.
Is it his fault that the rest of the so called better players that should be doing the creating, showing the skill, the vision or speed are not performing to their potential.
He gave an interview lately that explained what DM expects of him and if he keeps getting picked he's obviously doing what's asked of him.
Whether you or I agree with that is irrelevant. DM picks the team so blame him.
The lad doesn't deserve to be crucified because he's being picked to play for Utd or England. Surely that is more deserved of the people who pick him if he's so bad, wouldn't you say!

5.) 28 Feb 2014
Liverpool fan here.

Saw that petition and think it's a disgrace. Doesn't matter who he plays for, what he's paid or how good or bad he is.

I'm almost hoping he goes out in your next game and scores a hat-trick. Almost!

6.) 28 Feb 2014
28 Feb 2014 23:27:43
I imagine there's little doubt that the vast majority of those voters are actually Manchester United fans.

I don't agree with it by any stretch and its only the fact England are so poor that they're scratching around giving call ups to the like of him, Welbeck, Lampard, Carrick, Smalling and Cole.

7.) 28 Feb 2014
Janman I agree when he was on loan at wigan he played realy well for them and was thought of highly he played a little higher up but since is injury and being back with us he has gone backwards I think if somebody put there arm around him and helped him he could become a good player not the best but a very good squad player

8.) 01 Mar 2014
Peashooter

Where did you get Cleverly's wages from as it looks too high and hope to god you are wrong. No one on earth would pay him that and we must have gone stupid.

I have had a debate with Sydney who reckons he is only on 35k a week where I believe he is on 60k or 65k a week.

9.) 01 Mar 2014
Marcellus

For once I agree with you, with the exception of Carrick and Cole the rest are going to get found out.

I don't think it will make a difference for England, which might not make it out of the group stages.

10.) 01 Mar 2014
Shahram, it's not a debate, he is on between £35k-£40k a week.