Frank Lampard has revealed the thinking behind transforming Alex Iwobi into a central midfielder - the Everton boss also detailed the Nigerian’s biggest quality and why he is so respected in the squad.
The 26-year-old has seen his fortunes change drastically for the better since January. Widely regarded as another average signing of the Farhad Moshiri era, the former Arsenal man has since worked his way to becoming arguably the best and most loved player of Lampard’s short spell in charge.
Part of Evertonians’ admiration for Iwobi has come from his versatility, with a level of understanding and work-rate that is matched whether on the wing, at full-back or across the midfield. The latter of those roles has seen the all-rounder deployed as part of a midfield pair alongside one of Abdoulaye Doucoure, Tom Davies or Amadou Onana - and Blues boss Lampard recently opened up on how he saw the role change and what Iwobi has done to make it work.
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“When I first came into the club and you're trying to assess players really quickly, and Alex in training - quiet lad, really good lad, low maintenance - I saw him in training and thought ‘wow, this boy can run’,” Lampard told BT Sport’s Between The Lines. “The second ball nature of our game and how important that is, and Alex is in constant motion.
“The other thing about him is that he has a really underrated quality. Those kinds of passes and that awareness - he came through a really good academy at Arsenal. Alex came and played as a winger when I first got here, then in midfield as a necessity you’re thinking what has he got? Loads of energy and can handle the ball, let's see if he can go in midfield. The minute he’s gone in there for us, he has the ability on the ball.
“It’s not a surprise. When I came in there was almost a little bit of negativity around Alex from certain areas outside, people kind of boxed him off, but I understood straight away that the dressing room respected him and that’s a big deal.”
Despite the widespread derision that Lampard mentioned, Iwobi has always been a valued member of the Everton squad and is highly-rated among his teammates. For the Everton boss it is about transferring that confidence and respect into the player - and his outstanding improvement has shown that at work.
“For me the thing with Alex was to make him feel like he had my confidence,” Lampard added. “Now Evertonians will tell you he was brilliant in the second half of last season and a big part of what we’re doing. The beauty of him, which is not the norm with a modern player, if you tell him to play anywhere he’ll say ‘no problem’. He’ll understand it and he won’t be upset by it.”
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