Alex Iwobi Now A Right Back At Everton & Keeps Shining In New Role

Alex Iwobi was Everton’s brightest player throughout the match against relegated Watford on Wednesday night at Vicarage Road, getting forward on numerous occasions. Perhaps he should have been used higher up the pitch, though, because the visitors really missed his influence in breaking down the defence, Megasportsarena.com reports.

One of the key aspects of Everton’s formation over the last few weeks has been Alex Iwobi. Having hit the best form of his career on Merseyside in an attacking midfield, he was promptly switched to a wing-back role for the visit of Chelsea to Goodison Park earlier this month.

He performed so well and gave so much for his side that he kept that place against Leicester City. Throughout that 90 minutes, he again showed all of the desire and quality that the Blues needed to help them to a crucial three points.

There would have been a fair few Everton supporters that maybe would have expected him to move back into that attacking midfield role at Vicarage Road. However, Lampard admitted that he preferred to keep the structure that he had created in recent weeks rather than switch up the system.

And still, he was Everton’s most dangerous player. He was Everton’s most creative player. Essentially, he was Everton’s best player on the night.

All of the strong attacking play that the Blues were able to muster seemed to flow through the Nigeria international in some way. Throughout the 90 minutes he gave Adam Masina a torrid time in constantly looking over his shoulder to see if he was marauding down the flank again.

He had 87 touches throughout his time on the pitch, 20 more than anyone else who took to the field in royal blue. His influence on the team clearly is not affected by him moving out to the flank rather than in his preferred position.

That led to him completing 60 passes, the joint-most on the Everton side alongside Delph. Five of those were key passes, which was the best figure anyone on the pitch managed by a clear three.

But his defensive numbers are just as impressive. He made five tackles, with only Doucoure from the visitors managing to match that. Add in one each in clearances and interceptions and his display really takes on a new light.

It might have been easy for Iwobi to feel a little aggrieved at being moved from his preferred position when he was performing so well, but he certainly hasn’t. There’s a reason Lampard has been so keen to highlight his strong work in recent weeks, and performances such as this certainly prove it.