Inside story of how Alex Iwobi endured a difficult start to his Everton career before rising in prominence, getting stronger and stronger in the club's time of need
The revival of Alex Iwobi’s Everton career was founded upon disappointment, both personal and at the club.
But as Everton’s plight worsened, Iwobi’s impact increased. He remained a player who split opinion to his final day in Blue. Yet few can question that he fought hard for a club over its toughest years of recent history - playing a key role in two ultimately successful relegation battles.READ MORE: Inside Sean Dyche's Everton team as 'harsh and truthful' debates revealed
In Cameroon, Iwobi reached his professional nadir. Less than 10 minutes after being introduced during the second half of Nigeria’s African Cup of Nations knockout tie with Tunisia, he received a straight red card after VAR intervened and ended his tournament. His side would go on to lose and he later wrote on Instagram: "We will be back to fight for our nation, stronger. We owe it to you, and I owe it to myself.
Iwobi said: "I feel like ever since the new manager came in and I came back from the Africa Cup of Nations it was almost like a a new challenge and a new start. When I came into training I felt I was capable. I was hungry to get myself back into the team and the gaffer appreciated that. Luckily he had that faith and belief in me and I was able to do what he wanted me to do and able to help the team get results. It was good for me when he came in, it has been helpful for my career.
He remained in the middle under Lampard and became part of his preferred three man central unit alongside Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye. Iwobi found the best form of his Blues career on the left of that central midfield. It was from there he emerged as a much-needed creative force, scoring a stunning goal against Manchester United and picking up several of his seven assists of the campaign from there. This was some feat considering just how much Everton struggled to score goals.
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