‘First name on team sheet’: Warnock stunned by Everton 26-year-old’s turnaround 

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Stephen Warnock has stated that he has been left stunned by the ‘turnaround’ of Alex Iwobi at Everton and under Frank Lampard.

The former Premier League left-back claimed that, prior to Lampard’s arrival, Iwobi looked like the ’shadow’ of the player he is now at Everton.

Marco Silva was in the Goodison Park dugout when the Merseyside club splashed big money on Iwobi.

It was a surprise transfer because the versatile attacker wasn’t the first name on the teamsheet at Arsenal and he was struggling. 

Those struggles followed him to his new club, including several managers just failing to get the best out of the expert ball carrier. 

But, ever since Lampard has walked into Finch Farm, Iwobi’s form has sky-rocketed, as Warnock touched upon, whilst speaking to DAZN. 

“What a turnaround for Iwobi,” said Warnock. “I have been to Goodison a lot in the last couple of years and I have watched Iwobi a lot under previous managers. He just looked a showdown of himself.

“Now I see him under Frank Lampard. People often say ‘what can a manager do? How can he change the fortunes of a player?’

“Well, he has instilled so much confidence into Iwobi that he is arguably now the first name on the team sheet. He’s that good for Everton. I am so pleased for him.

“I have been in that situation in my career where I know I am capable of more and I need the manager to help me. You look at Frank Lampard and what he has done for him, it is brilliant.”

IWOBI THE JOELINTON OF EVERTON

Whilst the duo are very different players, the duo have been pushed into the same positions at their respective clubs, by new managers, and started to thrive.

Joelinton, who was another big-money signing for Newcastle, was struggling to score goals at St James’ Park, before Eddie Howe felt he was best suited to midfield.

Now, he is dominating games from the middle of the park and is looking every inch of a top-quality Premier League performer.

The same is happening for Iwobi, who has a more silky nature to his game, the ability to constantly find space, pick up the ball in the right areas and drive forward with the ball.