Thursday 11 September 2014 22:36, UK
Paul Lambert has rejected claims that new signing Tom Cleverley favoured a move to Everton over joining Aston Villa.
Cleverley eventually joined Villa on a season-long loan from Manchester United 24 hours after the transfer window closed after seeing the deal approved by the Premier League.
There have been suggestions that Cleverley was holding out for a move to Everton before joining Villa, but Lambert has dismissed the notion and insists he has no reservations over the midfielder's commitment to the cause at Villa Park.
"My main concern was that he wanted to come here, he wanted to play," said Lambert.
"I know all this speculation about him not wanting to come, that's not the impression when I spoke to him.
"The deadline day is mayhem, things can go wrong, be on and off, carnage breaking out everywhere.
"I knew the situation. The lad never indicated he didn't want to come. I spoke to him, he was professional about it."
Lambert has been impressed by Cleverley in training and feels he will prove a valuable addition to his side.
‘He’s a top player," added Lambert. "I’ve only worked with the lad for a week but already I know exactly what type of lad he is.
"If he can do what he did for the first few years of his career when he burst onto the scene then he will be some player for us."
