Journalist Daniel Storey believes that Alex Iwobi’s newfound position in the centre of midfield could help Frank Lampard stay in a job and out of trouble at Everton.
After the big scare of last season which saw the Toffees avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth, the current campaign should have seen them move away from anything like that happening again, but after three games and just one point on the board, it could be a case of deja vu at Goodison Park.
There has been at least one bright light this season, though, and that’s come in the form of Iwobi, who racked up his 100th appearance for Everton at the weekend, with the Nigerian most recently featuring in the unlikely position of centre-midfield, despite being a winger for the majority of his career thus far.
Storey believes that Iwobi’s ability to keep thriving in this new position could be what keeps Lampard out of trouble with the Everton board and fans this season.
With his column for i News being shared on Twitter, Storey wrote: “I’m not sure who had Alex Iwobi down as the breakout central midfielder of this Premier League season, but they are allowed to feel very smug indeed. Pairing him with Amadou Onana might be a solution to keep Lampard out of trouble.”
Where is Iwobi's best position?
Centre midfield!
Winger!
TIF Thoughts on Iwobi’s new position…
As Storey alluded to above, we agree that anyone who thought Iwobi could turn into a competent central midfielder this season deserves credit, because prior to Lampard shifting him about due to necessity, Iwobi had only played in that position once in his senior career.
However, he is proving himself to be worthy of a starting role week-in, week-out, likely alongside new signing Amadou Onana, with Iwobi second in tackles and also leading the way in successful pressures, touches and carries (as per FBref).
Iwobi going from a frustrating winger that had only managed to register seven goals and eight assists during his time at Everton to a dominant midfielder who may yet save the club millions in transfer money could be one of the stories of the season if he keeps up this form.