Ian Wright heaps praises on Alex Iwobi
The versatile midfielder has gone on to establish himself as a vital part of the Everton squad
Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi’s £35m deadline-day transfer from Arsenal to Everton certainly raised a few eyebrows back in the summer of 2019.
However, since then, the versatile midfielder has gone on to establish himself as a vital part of the Everton squad, being one of the few positives in an otherwise bleak season.
The Toffees currently find themself just one place outside the relegation zone in 17th, level on points with 18th-placed Nottingham Forest and just four points clear of bottom-placed Southampton.
But, as noted by ex-Arsenal forward Ian Wright, the Nigerian international has been something of a shining star in what is hopefully a forgetful season for the Goodison Park faithful.
“When you look at what you’re doing now, and anybody speaks about Everton, you’re the first person they speak about. You’re the positive,” Wright told Iwobi on the official Premier League YouTube channel.
“There was a time I was worried for you when you first got there.
“I felt like I had to do a lot of putting out these fires, because they were going at you.”
With Iwobi taking on perhaps more of the attacking burden than he first expected owing to the long-term injury of talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Wright certainly has a point.
Whilst the Nigerian international may have made a slow start to life at Goodison Park, the midfielder has been crucial for the Toffees this season, picking up important assists in wins over West Ham, Southampton, Crystal Palace, and Leeds earlier in the campaign; points that could ultimately help salvage their Premier League status.
Granted, with just eight goals in 131 appearances for Everton, criticism of Iwobi could perhaps be justified, but without his creativity and flare in the middle of the park at times this season it’s hard to see where else Everton’s goals could come from, boasting a club-high six assists this season (Premier League).
The former Arsenal man has been a staple in the side this season, appearing in every one of Everton’s Premier League games under both Sean Dyche and former boss Frank Lampard, again showing his dependability being a mainstay under separate coaches.
Ultimately, in a season where Everton has struggled, Wright may have hit the nail on the head citing Iwobi as the Toffee’s star man, but his form will certainly have to continue if Everton is to beat the dreaded drop.
