Alex Iwobi Receives Low Rating From Benitez As ‘Specialist Playmaker’

Everton of England midfielder, Alex Iwobi has been rated low as a playmaker, with his club’s coach, Rafael Benitez stating that the Super Eagles’ star is not a ‘specialist’ in that role.

Megasportsarena.com gathered that, although many Nigerian fans often pinpoint Iwobi as the ideal playmaker for club and country, considering his ball skills and intelligent passes, Benitez has a different view.

The Spanish tactician, who has handled Liverpool and Chelsea of England among several other top clubs, is of a view that Iwobi needs more intelligent play, stronger ball holding abilities and better levels of consistency in order to be rated as a quality specialist.

However, with the former Arsenal of England dazzler often falling below expectations and losing rhythm during crucial matches, Benitez has fingered Iwobi among the missing links in his current squad of The Toffees.

Benitez stated as much while giving his permutations about his team’s chances of holding their own, heading into the busy yuletide period, with the gaffer concluding that he needs to jig his squad and rotate his tactics.

He also admitted that the club’s sale of Columbian ace, sale of James Rodriguez has left the side without a traditional playmaker not long after a period when the club were heavily stocked in this department.

“We have some players who can play in this position, but we don’t have a specialist. We can play [Demarai] Gray, we can play [Alex] Iwobi or [Andros] Townsend. They can play there, but they are not specialists in this position.

“When you think of the No 10 and look at those who back in the day wore the number – you think of Pele, Maradona so usually a really good, high-quality player who plays in this position.

“We’re maybe sometimes looking for this kind of player, but it’s not easy to find anyone in the market. At least at a good price,” Benitez concluded.