Soccer
Alex Iwobi has revealed how former Everton manager Frank Lampard played a key role in rescuing his career — while subtly taking a swipe at former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigeria international, now flourishing at Fulham, opened up about a turbulent period during his time at Everton and singled out Lampard as the manager who gave him the platform to rediscover himself.
Having worked under iconic figures such as Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery at Arsenal, and later Benitez at Everton, Iwobi surprised many by naming Lampard as the coach who had the biggest impact on his development.
Speaking on The Inside Scoop podcast, the 29-year-old said:
“Lampard, hands down. Lampard revived my career. One of the AFCONs I got sent off, I came back, and Rafa Benitez told me I would go out on loan.”
“I was having a mare, but then Benitez was gone. Lampard told me I would be going on loan to another country.
“I said, ‘I’m not doing that, I’d rather stay here and fight for my place.’ Lampard gives everyone a chance. In training, I’m a very good training player.
“He said, ‘You can do this in training, why can’t you do it in matches?’ I told him, ‘I’ve been told by previous managers to set the ball and run.’
“He then said, ‘No, do your own thing.’ He then put me in midfield, where I liked being on the ball. He said, ‘Express yourself, be you,’ and that’s where I revitalised my career. I’d say under Lampard was my best time.”
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Iwobi’s shift into a central midfield role under Lampard at Everton proved to be a turning point. Known primarily as a winger earlier in his career, the former Arsenal man began to operate deeper, showcasing his vision, work rate, and ball control.
The positional change surprised many, particularly when Lampard deployed him in a sitting midfield role against Chelsea in August 2022 — a game in which Iwobi stood out for his discipline and intelligence on the ball.
Lampard had praised Iwobi’s humility and technical quality at the time, as the Nigerian went on to play a pivotal role in Everton’s fight against relegation.
Since moving to Fulham in 2023 under Marco Silva — another former Everton boss — Iwobi has taken his game up a notch. This season, he’s featured in all 37 of Fulham’s Premier League matches, starting 35 and coming off the bench twice, clocking up 2,970 minutes.
He has scored nine league goals and added six assists, picking up just one yellow card along the way. His last goal came against Chelsea in a 2-1 defeat on April 20, while his first of the campaign was against Leicester in a 2-1 win back in August.
Iwobi’s most recent appearance came in Fulham’s 3-2 win over Brentford on May 18, where he played 66 minutes. Next up is a daunting home fixture against title-chasing Manchester City on May 25.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.
From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.
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