Everton’s Alex Iwobi plays in a different role for Nigeria.
Everton are in dismal form under Marco Silva, and a run of four defeats means the under-fire Toffees boss may yet consider some changes.
Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Burnley continued the dismal series of results for Silva, and a number of players have come in for criticism.
Playmaker Gyfli Sigurdsson has been slammed throughout the season, with fans feeling the Iceland ace just isn’t pulling his weight as Everton’s number 10.
Silva has so far been reluctant to drop Sigurdsson, but he would be wise to consider new signing Alex Iwobi in such a role moving forward.
Seemingly signed as a winger, Iwobi penned a £120,000-a-week deal with Everton in August (Legit), registering a couple of goals so far.
Now though, Iwobi heads off to Nigeria, where he plays as a number 10 – and Brazil coach Cleber Xavier has admitted he rates him in that role.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Xavier suggested that Iwobi is a link in counter attacks and is able to drag defenders out of position as a number 10, adding that he gets into the box well, arguably better than is wide role at Everton.
“At Nigeria, Iwobi plays more of an inside role as a second striker than at Everton,” said Xavier. “He is the link in the counter attack, drags opponents out of position and infiltrates well in the box,” he added.
That other coaches are highlighting Iwobi’s quality in that role should be of interest to Silva, and with Sigurdsson continually criticised by Everton fans, they’ll be praying that Silva gives Iwobi a go in that role to offer more mobility behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Moise Kean.
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