Can Alex Iwobi take latest chance to resurrect his Everton career

After his fine performance in last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat of Leeds United, can Alex Iwobi still possibly revive his Everton career?

The Nigerian international has had a very difficult time (to put it mildly!) since making the switch from Arsenal to Everton in the summer of 2019.

A deadline day signing when the Blues couldn’t apparently get a deal for Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha over the line, Iwobi came with a considerable price tag and pressure to deliver.

There was always a feeling he was a bit of a sudden, panic-induced buy from Everton’s point of view after the protracted fiasco over Zaha that summer.

While Iwobi had talent, after a promising beginning, his chances in North London had become more limited and so moving to Merseyside was a fresh opportunity for him to kick-start his flagging career.

But, it hasn’t happened and instead he has become somewhat symbolic of the sort of big-money signing that the Toffees have made for underperforming footballers over the past few years.

Iwobi has failed to take his chances at Goodison Park and has never found a settled position while being moved around under a succession of managers, first Marco Silva, then Carlo Ancelotti, next Rafa Benitez and now Frank Lampard.

The ex-Arsenal youth product has played left and right midfield, wing-back and in central midfield under these coaches without ever convincing he has the consistency, determination or mental fortitude to make any one of these positions his own.

In this time there have been occasional glimpses of his power and ability to carry the ball, something this Everton side certainly needs more of. Although, his end product has always been poor for someone who really should be able to produce more quality in the final third.

But then, after a brief period of teasing both his manager and the supporters that there might be a good player in there somewhere, he would relapse into his old ways and start playing without conviction or focus and making the most elementary mistakes, misplacing simple passes and losing possession far too easily.

Many Evertonians had had enough of him and would have been more than happy to see him leave the club in any of the recent transfer windows.

However, despite occasional rumours that he might be on his way, Iwobi is still an Everton player although it seemed he was confined to being very much on the fringes of the first-team squad even as Lampard set about getting to know his new players.

So, given all that it was a surprise to many, including me, when his name appeared on Saturday’s team-sheet before the Blues took on Leeds in their latest must-win match.

Lampard though, impressed he said by his attitude in training, gave him yet another chance and he produced probably his best performance in a royal blue shirt, working tirelessly and showing good, intelligent use of the ball too.

He certainly contributed to the Toffees thumping win and was a valid candidate for man-of-the-match, although there were quite a few contenders for that accolade at the weekend.

Of course, again, the big question is can Iwobi produce that sort of level on a consistent basis from now on? Past history would say no.

But, given how threadbare Lampard’s squad is at the moment with likely starters Ben Godfrey, Yerry Mina, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Demarai Gray all injured, plus Tom Davies too, there is a real opportunity for some of the fringe players to get regular football over the next few weeks and months. If for no other reason than necessity.

Others like Jonjo Kenny have been staking a possible claim to more time on the pitch, so can Iwobi also make himself a key player as Lampard tries to turn the season around?

Perhaps too a manager like Lampard who was such a fine midfielder himself and wants to play a more energetic, attacking style of football can finally get the best out of the enigmatic Nigerian.

With this team’s bad luck in terms of injuries and a packed schedule of critical fixtures over the next few months, these players stepping up might well be another important factor in the Blues pulling away from danger.