Everton boss Frank Lampard believes Alex Iwobi is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League
Everton boss Frank Lampard believes Alex Iwobi is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and has credited the 26-year-old’s development.
Iwobi was being played as a winger when Lampard first joined the club, however, the former Chelsea boss transitioned the talent into a central midfield role.
Lampard admitted Iwobi is “one of the top midfielders in the Premier League” at the moment and is delighted the midfielder is getting the recognition he deserves.
“He’s one of the top midfielders in the Premier League at the moment,” said Lampard as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
“I think from the outside, I was very aware of him coming through because my staff had been at the Chelsea academy for years and Alex was at the Arsenal academy. We spoke about every player and their feeling having gone up against Alex as a kid was that he was an immensely talented player so there would be something there for us.
“It is clear to say that only players and players themselves can make the strides Alex has made, but not many make the strides he has made in the right way. My job is to support him, give him confidence, put him in the right structure, in the right team and the rest is down to him.
“Whatever view when I came in is not important but now I have a huge respect for him and love working with him.”
Outstanding.
Iwobi’s progression under Lampard has been outstanding, it’s going to be fun to watch where the midfielder ends up over the coming seasons.
His ceiling is extremely high, especially when you consider his rawness to his new position, who knows how good he’ll be in it with a few campaigns under his belt?
One thing is for sure, as long as Lampard is at the Toffees, Iwobi will thrive, the former Chelsea boss seems to know exactly how to get the central midfielder to tick.
However, the midfielder needs to add goals and assists to his game if he is to take it to the next level, something he’s been slowly showing this season.
The 26-year-old provided a delicate cross for Dwight McNeil’s winner last Saturday, providing a glimpse that he’s not limited to his work rate and running capabilities.
Lampard’s praise for Iwobi is justified, he has the potential to be at the heart of the Everton midfield for a long while yet.