Nigeria international Alex Iwobi has been Everton’s standout player in the first seven Premier League games of the 2022/23 season.
The 26-year-old midfielder has now become a major member of Frank Lampard’s side, with his name being sung around the Goodison Park terraces every week.
With a Premier League Player of The Month nomination already in the bag this season, the former Arsenal man is one of the Toffees’ shining lights this term.
He has played in all of Everton’s games this season, creating three assists in eight Premier League games- the highest from a Toffees player this season.
Iwobi will be aiming to lead Everton to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to seven matches, when they host Manchester United at Goodison Park on Sunday (today).
Already, he has provided four assists in nine games across all competitions, on the back of his fine form, and it is no surprise initial talks have been opened between club and player on a new contract.
Given the chance in central midfield, he has been a pillar of stability, while the rest of the midfield has been built around him.
Moved into the middle for the pre-season friendly against Dynamo Kyiv out of necessity, Iwobi has made that position his own, despite the recovery of key players from injuries and the arrival of three new central midfielders in the summer.
Lampard has praised the Super Eagles midfielder for his commanding displays in midfield.
The former Chelsea manager commended Iwobi’s team play, after his conversion into the central midfielder role and his perfect partnership with the defence.
“He did a lot for us last season, but he played some games at number eight and I really liked him.
“I felt it suited his talent in terms of strength, quality of pass, he can go either way on players and I think sometimes on the wing, that is restricted, because you can’t go either way when you are on the line in midfield,” Lampard said.
Everton are unbeaten in seven consecutive Premier League matches.
Following a 1-0 win over United in April, Everton are looking to win consecutive Premier League games against the Red Devils for the first time since the 2013/14 season.
Having marginally avoided relegation last season, Everton have recently become a much more solid unit under Lampard.
Only four teams conceded more goals than the Toffees by the end of the last campaign, yet they have the best defensive record in the entire division after eight matches term, having only conceded seven goals.
Everton ended a run of four successive draws by beating West Ham United before the international break.
The Toffees are 11th on the Premier League log with 10 points from eight matches, two points short of the Red Devils, who sit in sixth position from seven matches.
The latest Opta stats show that the Nigerian has been better than United midfielder Bruno Fernandes this season.
According to the stats, Iwobi has more successful passes (279) than the Portuguese (244), with a wide margin of 35.
With 81 per cent passing accuracy, the former Arsenal man beats Fernandes, who has 76 per cent to his name in the Premier League.
Known for his attacking play, he has also completed 76.4 per cent more passing accuracy in the opponent’s half, a number that beats the Red Devils midfield marshal, who has 68.9 per cent.
Iwobi has more goal contributions (three assists) than Fernandes, who has just two goals to his name this season.
Lampard will once again be banking on Iwobi’s form to see off United and show why he is rated Everton’s best player this season as fans will be gearing for top-notch performance at the Merseyside on Sunday night.
United have won just one of their last seven Premier League matches against Everton, an away win in November 2020.
The Red Devils were thrashed 6-3 by champions Man City at the Etihad Stadium last Sunday, with two late goals from substitute Anthony Martial making the scoreline a little kinder to the visitors.
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both sensationally scored hat-tricks for the Cityzens, as Erik ten Hag’s side simply could not cope with their opponents’ pace and precision in and out of possession, although summer signing Antony scored his second league goal in two matches with a ferocious effort from distance.
The Red Devils came from behind to beat Omonia 3-2 away from home in the Europa League on Thursday evening, with Martial and Marcus Rashford sparing their side’s blushes from the bench as the England forward bagged himself a brace.
Ten Hag was less than enthused with his side’s overall performance, though, branding them “not very good” in his post-match press conference.
The former Ajax boss will be hoping for a major reaction from his players as they make the short trip to Merseyside on today.
