Image credit: Getty Images
Alex Iwobi may have risen through the Arsenal academy and now shines for Fulham, but it is a manager from his Everton days who he regards as the most influential in his career.
The 29-year-old midfielder is approaching 300 Premier League appearances and has already earned 85 international caps for Nigeria since making his Arsenal debut in 2015. Arsene Wenger handed Iwobi his first senior opportunity at the Emirates, where he also played under Unai Emery before moving to Everton in 2019.
During his four years at Goodison Park, Iwobi worked with a string of managers including Marco Silva, Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benítez, Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche. Now back under Silva at Fulham, he insists it was Lampard who made the greatest impact on his career.
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“For me, Frank Lampard has the biggest influence on my career,” Iwobi toldSportsBoom.com. “When I was at Everton and going through a difficult stage, he gave me the confidence to showcase my talent once again and I’ll forever be grateful for the belief he gave me.”
Alex Iwobi Fulham
Alex Iwobi (Image credit: Getty Images)
Lampard, who managed Everton between January 2022 and January 2023, often praised Iwobi’s performances in midfield, having moved him into a more central role after he had previously been deployed out wide.
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“I think he’s one of the best midfield players in the league in my opinion in terms of being a No.6 or No.8,” Lampard said in 2022. “His development has been brilliant… Opening the pitch up more centrally was a big help for him and then the rest is him.”
Iwobi made 140 appearances for Everton, scoring nine goals, before establishing himself further at Fulham. Since his arrival, he has netted 15 times in 81 games across all competitions, becoming a key figure in Silva’s squad.
“He’s a really important player for me because he’s very versatile,” Silva said of Iwobi last year. “He can play in many different positions, he’s improving in attack, and his decision-making with assists and goals is getting better. We are delighted with his progress.”
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