Everton manager Roberto Martinez has heaped praise on midfielder Tom Cleverley after a string of impressive performances against Carlisle, Newcastle United, and Stoke City.
The Englishman recently returned from injury and has been thrust into the squad due to injuries to Muhamed Besic and less recently James McCarthy. Cleverley was the player who won the Blues penalty in the first half, getting to the ball before the Stoke keeper and inviting contact from his compatriot.
Romelu Lukaku would score the penalty to make him the first player since Graeme Sharp to score 20 goals in consecutive seasons for the Toffeemen. The goal was the Belgians first in the Premier League since Everton last faced Stoke City at the back end of December.
Roy Hodgson was present at the Britannia Stadium as Everton ran riot over Stoke, a whole host of English talent was on show with Aaron Lennon, Tom Cleverley, Phil Jagielka and Ross Barkley all starting the game and making cases for their inclusion in the Euro 2016 squad.
Speaking after the Stoke game, Martinez claimed that Cleverley was “one of the most sensational players in Premier League history”. He went on to explain:
I think he can go even further.
I think you do not have a better English player. Technically, he is as good as you get. The way he executes, how he reads the game, for me he is one of the most sensational players you are going to see in Premier League history.
I wouldn’t sell him for any money in the current market. I want to see him go from strength to strength because I know there is so much more to come.
Cleverley will be looking to keep his spot in the team as Everton face West Brom at Goodison this weekend.
