Iwobi may continue in Everton's midfield after flourishing against Chelsea

After flourishing in Everton's 0-1 defeat against Chelsea in the season’s English Premier League opener Super Eagles winger Alex Iwobi could continue in that position for the Toffees

The Toffees signed the Nigerian international from Arsenal in the summer of 2019, for a reported fee of £35m and he has made 97 appearances for the club in three years. 

He has never been able to establish himself in the first-team and has been deployed in multiple positions during his Everton tenure, but he may have found his starting spot.

In an interview with EvertonTV, Iwobi said: “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.

“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 former Arsenal midfielder also commented on how support from the Everton faithful helped his confidence and subsequently his performance. 

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

“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 26-year-old has not had the best of times ever since swapping London for Merseyside and has struggled to justify his huge price tag.

In three years at Goodison Park, he has only managed a measly sum of seven goals and seven assists and has been unable to nail his best position, being deployed on either wing during his time at the club.

This was a problem he encountered at his former club but he may have found his home on the pitch.

The Nigerian international, who has 58 appearances for his country, came through the Arsenal youth ranks as a striker before eventually becoming an attacking midfielder and being given his debut in that number ten position by Arsene Wenger.

Against the Blues, the former Arsenal youth product sat back and allowed Doucoure to attack while he regularly got onto the ball when he could and played incisive passes when the opportunity arose.

The £35m looked comfortable at the base of the Toffee’s midfield and if he can continue performances like that, with additional defensive midfield reinforcement on its way in the shape of Amadou Onana, he could nail down a midfield starting spot for years to come.