Frank Lampard picks out Alex Iwobi as Everton star he ‘would have not liked to play against’
Frank Lampard feels that Alex Iwobi’s strength, passing quality and movement at Everton would’ve made him a tough opponent back in his playing days.
Lampard should be credited for moving Iwobi from a failed wing-back to a prosperous central midfielder at Goodison Park.
Since moving from Arsenal for £28million in 2019, it was looking for a long time as though Iwobi would go down as a flop for Everton. But Lampard’s positional change has revived his career and made him one of the first names on the team sheet.
Now, the Toffees boss has paid him the ultimate compliment by suggesting that Iwobi is a player Lampard “would have not liked to play against.”
“He did a lot for us last season but he played some games at number eight and I really liked him,” said Lampard, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
“I felt it suited his talent in terms of strength, quality of pass, he can go either way on players and I think sometimes on the wing that is restricted because you can’t go either way when you are on the line in midfield.
“There are so many talents that I would have not liked to have played against as a midfield player so and then it’s just the consistency.”
Revival
Iwobi’s turnaround at Goodison Park has been nothing short of miraculous. Just as it looked as though Iwobi’s career was starting to dwindle off into irrelevance, his positional change has given him a new lease of life.
Alongside Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye, Iwobi is now part of one of the most formidable midfield trios in the Premier League.
Not only have they helped the Toffees keep the best defensive record so far this season, but all three are capable of carrying the ball forward and finding a pass.
Iwobi in particular has thrived going forward, and his numbers and stats will only improve as Dominic Calvert-Lewin returns to fitness and Neal Maupay settles down in Merseyside.
His latest nomination for September Player of the Month tells you all you need to know about how impressive Iwobi has been for Everton this season.
Even now though, it’d be hard for him to get the better of Lampard in the heart of midfield.