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

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 Arsène 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.