Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi opens up on career turnaround under Frank Lampard at Everton

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has reflected on one of the most challenging periods of his club career, revealing how a tough spell at Everton F.C. nearly led to a loan move until a managerial change reignited his career.

Iwobi’s struggles intensified after the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was sent off in Nigeria’s round-of-16 defeat to Tunisia national football team. The red card compounded an already frustrating period at Everton, leaving the midfielder uncertain about his future.

“There was one of the AFCON I got sent off, came back, they said, ‘Alex, you’re gonna go on a loan,’” Iwobi recalled. “Although this is Rafa Benítez, I wasn’t playing like that. So I went to AFCON, wasn’t really playing, then I played in the round of 16, got sent off. Come back thinking, ‘Oh my God, I’m having a mare. I’m probably never gonna play.’”

However, everything changed with the arrival of Frank Lampard as Everton manager. Instead of being sidelined, Iwobi was handed a fresh opportunity and a new role on the pitch.

“Lampard gives everyone a chance. He was like, ‘If you can do it in training, why can’t you do it in matches?’ Previous managers had told me to stick to the tactics board. But they said, ‘No, do your thing,’” Iwobi said.

Lampard deployed him in midfield, a position where Iwobi could express himself and get on the ball. “He said, ‘Express yourself, be you.’ That’s where I revitalised my career. So yeah, I’ll say Lampard was my best time,” he added.

The midfielder’s candid reflections highlight how the right managerial approach and trust on the field can transform a player’s fortunes, turning a period of uncertainty into one of personal and professional growth.