For most of his young career, Alex Iwobi has played predominantly as a forward but, over the last few weeks, he has had to unlock another side of his game.
With Everton flying high in the opening weeks of the season, it was very hard for Iwobi to get into the starting lineup, but things are beginning to look up for the 24-year old.
As the injuries pile up for Everton, Toffees boss, Carlo Ancelotti, has drafted Iwobi in as an emergency wing-back. The Nigerian has played on the left and on the right, filling in for the injured duo of club captain, Seamus Coleman, and Frenchman Lucas Digne.
Iwobi has been included from the start in each of Everton’s last three matches, playing from the right wing-back position in the 3-2 victory at Fulham and the 1-1 draw at Burnley, and from the left in the 1-0 home defeat to Leeds United.
Prior to the win at Fulham, he had started just one Premier League match for Ancelotti’s side all season- a 2-0 defeat at Southampton at the end of October. The 24-year-old played as one of three forwards in that match, alongside James Rodriguez and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Iwobi came in for regular starter, Richarlison, who was serving the first of a three-match ban for the red card he received in the previous match against Liverpool. The Nigerian did not exactly cover himself in glory and was taken off at half-time by manager Ancelotti.
Richarlison remained suspended for the next two matches against Newcastle and Manchester United, but Iwobi couldn’t get a starting berth.
However, Everton’s injury woes have opened up a new lease of life for the former Arsenal star. The Nigerian international has not exactly set the world alight in his new wingback roles, but he has played well enough to warrant three successive starts.
So can Iwobi make his wing-back role more permanent? Will he be pushing for a start when Coleman and Digne return from their injuries?
Iwobi has got qualities that bode well for his chances as a wing-back. To be successful in that position, you need to be super fit and very energetic; and must be able to get up and down the pitch very quickly. Iwobi ticks this box very nicely.
Also, the Nigerian has spent most of his career playing down the sides, both for Arsenal and the Super Eagles. Hence, he is very comfortable in the wide areas, especially going forward.
Having said that, there are areas of his game that need improvement. From an attacking perspective, Iwobi needs to work on his crossing abilities- a crucial part of a wing back’s game- while he must also get more responsible defensively.
Everton have a pretty settled front three, with Rodriguez, Richarlison and Premier League top scorer, Calvert-Lewin shoe in to start when everyone is fit and available.
These guys have been fundamental to Everton’s decent start to the season. The Toffees have generally been good, with many pundits backing them to fight for a top six spot this season. They have the quality of players, and certainly the manager to guide them to those heights.
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It will be very nice to see Iwobi play a prominent role in what should be an exciting campaign for the Merseyside club.
However, he may have to look at other areas on the field if he is to have a regular run in Ancelotti’s side.
With Digne set to be out for up to three months, this is his chance to stake a claim and show the manager what he can do.
It will be extremely tough to dislodge Coleman and Digne as Everton’s first-choice wing-backs (or full-backs, if the manager opts to revert to a back four), but at least, a good run in the side will open up more possibilities and opportunities for the Nigerian international to get into the team.
