Alex Iwobi: Everton can compete with the best

Nigeria international Alex Iwobi says positive talks with boss Frank Lampard and an enduring confidence paved the way for his accomplished turnaround for Everton.

The creative midfielder followed up his fine form at the end of last season into the new season to stand out in all games this season, especially in the league opener against Chelsea and last Tuesday’s victory in the Carabao Cup.

Though, Everton lost the PL opener to a late penalty at Goodison Park, Iwobi earned glowing praises from Frank Lampard for his performance alongside Abdoulaye Doucoure in Everton’s midfield engine room, with the Blues boss declaring the Nigerian “did superb in the game…and dealt with Chelsea’s threats brilliantly”.

The 26-year-old was one of Everton’s standout players in the 2021/22 season run-in and says he is determined to elevate his game further in this campaign.

Iwobi revealed how specific instructions from Lampard ahead of the Chelsea match helped him shine against high-quality opposition.

He told evertontv: “I had a meeting with the manager before the game who told me – especially when we are going on the attack – that I should look around and be aware of my surroundings.

“It helped me going into the game and I felt like I did okay.

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“I felt quite comfortable in midfield. The defence was always talking to me and helping me, so I was always in the right positions at the right times.

“The gaffer is always talking to me, motivating me and telling me to go out and express myself, kick on from last season, and I feel like I’ve done that so far. But it’s a long season, it’s a marathon, and there’s a long way to go.”

Iwobi’s influence on the game is highlighted by the fact he completed more passes than any other Everton player (38).

He was ambitious in possession, too, regularly feeding penetrative passes into the Toffees’ attackers.

Iwobi explained how the belief he feels from Evertonians is giving him the freedom to express himself.

“The fans are always giving me that confidence that even if a pass doesn’t come off, they’ll clap and applaud the effort,” he said.

“It’s something that’s helping me go into games that, even if I do miss, I’ll have the confidence to try something again.

“It worked out against Chelsea; I was able to make some forward passes and hopefully it leads to some assists in the next game.”

The Chelsea game was marred by an injury to Ben Godfrey after just 10 minutes, with Lampard confirming the defender sustained a suspected “small fracture” of his fibula.

Iwobi said: “The way Ben was suffering on the pitch; it didn’t look right.

“We’ll keep in touch with him, he’s a strong guy. As soon as I got in after the game, I messaged him straight away.

“We hope for the best for him because he’s one of the lads. He’s a big character. He’ll be back in no time. We trust him.”

Godfrey’s fellow centre-back James Tarkowski produced a towering performance against Chelsea, with his authority, composure and leadership all on show on his competitive Everton debut.

Iwobi revealed the sense of assurance the England international gives to the team.

Iwobi said: “He’s a giant at the back, he’s a monster.

“You feel very safe and secure with him, and nothing goes past him. For me playing in front of him, he’s always talking to me, always helping me to be in the right positions.

“He’s good for me, good for the team, has a lot of experience. It was a solid performance from him.”

Everton stood toe-to-toe with Chelsea throughout the game, with only Jorginho’s penalty in first-half stoppage time settling a closely-fought battle.

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Iwobi insists belief remains high in the camp and look forward to more favourable results in the PL.

“I don’t think like we deserved this result,” Iwobi said.

“We defended really well, we were unfortunate with the penalty but, other than that, we defended as a team and created a couple of chances. On another day, those chances go in.

“It shows we can compete with one of the best teams in the Premier League. If we can compete against them, we can compete against anyone.”

Iwobi says, though the team is yet to get it right in the PL, the win over Fleetwood is a booster for them.

Lampard says they passed a “test of character” in the 1-0 Carabao Cup victory at Fleetwood Town but believes the Blues can improve their quality in key areas.

Everton were made to work hard for their win against a dogged Fleetwood outfit but Demarai Gray’s 28th-minute strike ensured the Blues’ progress to the third round of the competition.

“There are parts of the performance I liked. Also, individuals got some important minutes – such as our captain [Seamus Coleman] who came in and had a great attitude – and some players grew into the game

“We can improve. I wanted a bit more intensity off the ball at times. And the quality of our play, moments when we can make a killer pass and take control of the game, I thought we were a little bit loose at times.

“It was a test of character and a test of quality.

“I think we succeeded on the test of character, for sure, but we could have been better at times on the test of quality.

“Fleetwood gave us a good match. They’re a physical team. In that sense it was a good challenge for us.

“In terms of our performance, it wasn’t amazing, but I’ve played in many nights like these – and been beaten on nights like this as well – so I understand they’re not easy.”

Summer signing Amadou Onana made his first Everton start in the game and completed the full 90 minutes. Lampard believes the experience will be an important step in the 21-year-old’s acclimatisation to English football.

“I thought Amadou grew into the game really well,” he said.

“He has not had a lot of days in training before coming here, and he’s moving to a new league, a new speed, new physicality… He found that out tonight. I thought he played well.

“Some of his passing across the pitch was really good – it was flat, he was getting the balls to our wing-backs and wingers quickly, he was playing through lines. There were lots of good things. His attitude was great, too. It was spot on.”

The Everton boss also had words of praise for Alex Iwobi, who delivered yet another high-calibre performance in central midfield.

Indeed, the Nigerian’s display saw him voted as man of the match by Evertonians.

Lampard added: “Alex is playing at a really high level where he plays – midfield, higher up the pitch – and he works off the ball and he’s huge player for this squad.

“We’re delighted with his performances and since I’ve been here, he’s been getting better and better. He’s started the season in great form.”

The Nation