Alex Iwobi: Frank Lampard 'revitalised' my career at Everton

By SABC Sport
20th May 2025

Alex Iwobi has credited former Everton manager Frank Lampard with playing the most pivotal role in his career, praising the ex-Chelsea boss for transforming him into the player he is today.

It was under Lampard that Iwobi began to flourish in a central midfield role, having previously been deployed as a winger during his time at Arsenal under ArsÃƒ¨ne Wenger and Unai Emery.

A notable moment came in August 2022 when Iwobi delivered a composed performance as a sitting midfielder against Chelsea, earning praise for his discipline and intelligence on the ball.

Lampard lauded Iwobi's "humility and technical quality" - qualities that have since become hallmarks of his game.

"Lampard, hands down. Lampard revived my career. One of the AFCONs I got sent off, I came back, and Rafa Benitez told me I would go out on loan," Iwobi told The Inside Scoop podcast.

"I was having a mare, but then Benitez was gone. Lampard told me I would be going on loan to another country.

"I said, 'I'm not doing that, I'd rather stay here and fight for my place.' Lampard gives everyone a chance. In training, I'm a very good training player.

"He said, 'You can do this in training, why can't you do it in matches?' I told him, 'I've been told by previous managers to set the ball and run.'

"He then said, 'No, do your own thing.' He then put me in midfield, where I liked being on the ball. He said, 'Express yourself, be you,' and that's where I revitalised my career. I'd say under Lampard was my best time."

Now at Fulham under Marco Silva, Iwobi has carried that momentum into an outstanding 2024-25 Premier League season.

Featuring in 37 matches - 35 of them starts - he has clocked 2,970 minutes, scoring 9 goals and registering 6 assists, all while collecting just one yellow card. He opened his account in a 2-1 win over Leicester in August and netted most recently in a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on 20 April.

His time at Everton was a turning point, even if not all was smooth under previous manager Rafa Benitez, whom Iwobi has subtly criticised.

But under Lampard, and now Silva, Iwobi has emerged as a dynamic, reliable presence in Fulham's midfield - a far cry from the inconsistent winger of old.