This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Everton returned to winning ways for the first time since early September when they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers after the 2-0 win over West Ham United. It means the Blues have moved into 15th and eased the pressure on Marco Silva ever so slightly.
Many players put in fantastic displays in the game, but it seems that Silva left Goodison Park praising Alex Iwobi more than most.
The former Watford manager said: “Alex Iwobi understood where the space was and did everything we planned.”
Following a promising opening to his career at Everton, he played in the number 10 role behind Richarlison for the first time in the Premier League, dethroning Gylfi Sigurdsson and giving his manager plenty to ponder over ahead of the trip to Brighton this weekend.
As well as making two key passes in the game, Iwobi registered two shots on goal as well, whilst he made one tackle and completed three out of four long balls for his team, per Whoscored.
Sigurdsson was Everton’s joint top scorer in the Premier League during the last campaign (13), and he finally got his first of the season with a typical Sigurdsson-esque screamer into the top corner.
However, moving forward, the Iceland international may be forced to vacate his space in the starting lineup for Iwobi.
The two offer very different abilities in the role. The former Arsenal man may not have the natural ability to rifle home a beauty like Sigurdsson did, but what he does offer is a blend of creativity and speed to create opportunities in the final third.
Iwobi’s most recent outing will most likely force Sigurdsson to improve and create a healthy dynamic between two players vying for the number ten position.
The playmaker’s goals over the years have proven he is tough to replace in the role, but the versatile Nigerian is beginning to suggest he will provide a stark threat to his place in the XI.
