SoccerBible Meets Manchester United's Tom Cleverley
After joining Manchester United at the age of 12, Tom Cleverley has developed into one of the Premier League s most exciting young talents. An injury-hit year may have limited his playing-time this season, but with a new campaign on the horizon and a new pair of adidas Predator LZ football boots in his locker, there's a lot to look forward to from United's young central midfielder.
We caught up with Tom at the recent launch of the new adidas Predator Lethal Zones. With his stock rising adidas have backed the promising midfielder, moving him from the adiPure into their headline boot silo. Check out what he had to say!
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How do the Predator Lethal Zones compare to other boots you've worn? Tom Cleverley: You can really tell the difference from the last adiPower Predator. I've also worn adiPure's this season as well but the new Predator Lethal Zones feel like they perfectly mould to my foot. They feel lighter and obviously this is another a big difference I've noticed. Have any of your team mates commented on your new Predator LZ boots? TC:Yeah well a couple of us have been training in the prototype's for the last few weeks. There was a bit of talk going on when me, Berba and Nani wore them in training for the first time.
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TC:I've always worn the adidas Predator since I was very young. I've gone through every single Predator that's been out since I started playing. I always looked up to Beckham as well, but they've changed a bit since then when the big tongue came over the front!
Do you have any superstitions when it comes to your football boots?
TC: I am quite a superstitious person. A couple of years ago I would only wear white boots, but now I change them around a bit. If I score my first goal of the season wearing my new Predator's then I won't be changing boots for the next few months!
How much do you think about your football boots when you're playing?
TC: In a match, not that much. But that first five minutes in training when you're warming up, it's important to be able to look down at your boots and feel comfortable.
How long do you take to wear-in a new pair of boots?
TC: I'm not the kind of person who has to wear a new pair of football boots around house as soon as I get them. I could literally get them out the box and bang them straight on for a match!
What size feet are you and do you have any personalisation on your boots?
TC: I'm a size 7.5. At the minute I have just TC25 on the side so the kit man knows that they're mine!
Which coach most influenced you during your time in the Manchester Untied youth academy?
TC: I worked under Eric Harrison who had the youth team when Beckham Scholes and Neville were playing. Also the current youth team manager Paul McGuinness. I worked under him for about seven years so he over looked my whole youth development. Both are very good coaches who have made me into the player I am today.
Did you ever work with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer?
TC: Yeah I had Ole as a coach for a year in the reserves. I think he'll be a fantastic manager and maybe manage in the Premier League one day. It was a good year in the reserves under Ole and I learnt a lot.
Which midfielders have you most been impressed with this season in the Premier League?
TC: The comeback of Paul Scholes has been massively impressive. He's the person I get to train with every day and can learn so much off. David Silva has also done well at Manchester City and Gareth Bale at Tottenham.
Would you like to see Paul Scholes stay at Manchester United for another season?
TC: Yeah well he adds to our squad and he's a fantastic player to learn from and he's good competition for me in the midfield!
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