Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi has said that when Frank Lampard was in charge, he compared him to Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic.
The Nigerian international was on FilthyFellas when he was quizzed about the English legend’s involvement in him playing in midfield.
With Frank Lampard having coached Mateo Kovacic in the past, he came to Everton and saw similar traits in Alex Iwobi.
Everton ace Alex Iwobi tells-all on Frank Lampard likening him to Mateo Kovacic
The Croatian controller, since joining the Blues has been one of the best players in his position in the Premier League.
In fact, Alvaro Morata said, as quoted by Football.London that the former Real Madrid talent was ‘one of the best midfielders in the world.’
Everton attacker Alex Iwobi has now detailed the time when Frank Lampard deployed him in midfield after his arrival and went on to liken him to Mateo Kovacic.
“First game, [I] think it was Brentford, came on, got a cameo and I managed to get an assist. Andros [Townsend] scored a good goal. Then next game, it was Leeds and I started, I did well.”
Alex Iwobi went on to address the Mateo Kovacic from former Everton boss Frank Lampard, saying, “In training, he compared me to, even the coaching staff…he compared me to Kovacic. He said that Kovacic is the sort of player that likes to turn and run with the ball and I used to do that in training, [he] said he wants to experiment that.”
‘Have you played in midfield?’ I said, ‘yeah, I played there. That’s where I grew up playing.’ Tried it and it just worked, he enjoyed me there.”
The decision from Frank Lampard ultimately paid off
Whether Everton talisman Alex Iwobi and Mateo Kovacic are similar in any way, shape or form is a conversation for another day but credit must be afforded to Frank Lampard for playing him in midfield.
Before Lampard’s arrival, Iwobi had become a utility man, playing on both flanks and as a wing-back as well, especially under Carlo Ancelotti.
Even at Arsenal, the 27-year-old would mostly operate as a left-winger.
But his true home was always in midfield and ever since being asked to play centrally, Alex Iwobi has found his calling.