Andros Townsend: Rafa Benitez didn’t believe Everton star Alex Iwobi, Frank Lampard did
Rafa Benitez ignored Alex Iwobi’s ability in his time as Everton boss and refused to accept his fitness stats, according to Andros Townsend.
The Nigeria international has become one of the biggest stars in the Toffees squad since the Spanish manager was replaced by Frank Lampard, with a new contract now in the works.
Benitez’s doomed reign saw many missteps but the injured winger has revealed the lack of belief from the former boss deprived Everton of a key talent, where the new manager took full advantage.
Townsend was on Sky Sports on Saturday before the game against Tottenham (15 October) and said, via former Daily Star reporter Paul Brown on Twitter: “Rafa used to have this fitness test and Alex was always the fittest. But he didn’t believe it.
“It was only when Frank Lampard came in and said ‘I believe in you.’ Now you’re starting to see Alex as the specimen he is.”
Ignored
It would be difficult for Benitez to have a lower overall standing among the fans at Goodison than he already does, but overlooking Iwobi might do it.
Lampard’s effect on the former Arsenal man has been major, since moved him from wide into the centre of midfield.
His relentless energy has been put to far better use there, even if the previous manager wasn’t interested in that potential.
Ironically of course, the match that Townsend was speaking before was one of Iwobi’s weakest in some time, as a frustrating evening saw Spurs win 2-0, but he is generally one of the first names on the team sheet.
Benitez had differences of opinion with the likes of ex-director of football Marcel Brands, and now-Aston Villa left-back Lucas Digne, with both leaving the club shortly before the former Liverpool boss was himself fired.
So it is perhaps little surprise that he thought he knew better when it came to Iwobi as well, and seems to be the latest proof that Farhad Moshiri made a big mistake in ever appointing him, as whatever qualities he brought were outweighed by it being a terrible fit due to his unpopularity with the supporters.