TheNewsGuru

Tag: Alex Iwobi

  • EPL: Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi ranked premiership best ball passer

    EPL: Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi ranked premiership best ball passer

    Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi has been tagged the best passer of the ball in the English Premier League in this present season.

    This is evident on the official website, premierleague.com, which states the Everton Playmaker as the best of all this term.

    The Nigeria international is also the joint-second player with the most assists in the EPL (five), along with Manchester City’s Bernado Silva.

    Iwobi has really stepped up his game and has won man of the match for Everton on many occassions in the Premier League.

    Iwobi put up a master-class performance against Crystal Palace Saturday, as he sprinkled his creative passes, assisting two goals and spraying forward passes throughout the game in the Toffees’ 3-0 win.

    He had 53 touches, three key passes, 87 percent pass success rate, created two big chances, 13 final third passes, and two successful long balls. Defensively too, the former Arsenal man had a 100 per cent tackle success rate and four-ball recoveries to emerge as the Man-of-The-Match.

    The balance in midfield has allowed Iwobi to get forward more, and he’s started turning this into returns, with one goal and five assists in his last eight matches.

    The 26-year-old, who has made 476 passes this season, beat Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka (352), Gabriel Jesus (287) and Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane (265) to the top spot.

    Other players in the Top 10 are Newcastle’s Joelinton (381), Fulham’s Bobby De Cordova-Reid (362), Brighton’s Leandro Trossard (333), Roberto Firmino (324), Ivan Toney (267), Jadon Sancho (285) and Demarai Gray (265).

    Iwobi has been tested in many positions at Everton and he has really impressed for Everton.

    Even when pressed by the opposition, he was able to break the press or remain calm in possession.

    Since the arrival of Frank Lampard, Iwobi is on the road to resurgence, even more so since the start of the 2022-23 season. Iwobi has never been a conventional winger; he has looked at home when playing as a central midfielder.

    Iwobi not only offers creativity but through his non-stop running, has been omnipresent in the middle of the park. The redefined role has given birth to a new version of Iwobi: composed, creative genius and the heartbeat of the team.

  • Why my performance has been awesome this season – Iwobi

    Why my performance has been awesome this season – Iwobi

    Super Eagles and Everton Midfielder, Alex Iwobi has revealed why he’s been churning out great performances week in week out for the Toffees in the English Premier League this current season.

    Iwobi has been one of the top performers for the Toffees this term.

    Coack Frank Lampard also hailed Iwobi for his great form this season.

    The 26-year-old provided two assists in Everton’s impressive 3-0 win against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on Saturday.

    Again, was named Man of the Match after the game.

    “On a personal level, I am playing with a lot of confidence,” the Nigeria international told Everton’s official website.

    “The manager tells me, ‘Play the way you train’. You can see I’m very confident, and I’m able to express myself on the pitch. For our third goal, I was able to do that with a cheeky little flick!

    “The manager gives me so much belief and, when I have confidence and motivation on the pitch, I feel I’m almost unstoppable.”

    Iwobi has scored one goal and recorded five assists in 10 league appearances for the Merseysiders this season.

  • International Friendly: Iwobi blames referee for loss to Algeria

    International Friendly: Iwobi blames referee for loss to Algeria

    Super Eagles and Everton ,midfielder, Alex Iwobi, has blamed the loss to Algeria on the centre referee Mehrez Malki and his assistants Y. Malloulchi and F. Jridi

    Super Eagles lost to Algeria by 2-1 in the second international friendly encounter with Algeria in Oran.

    Malki was at the centre of controversy after he ruled out a goal scored by Ademola Lookman in the first half.

    If the goal had stood, the Super Eagles would have gone 2-0 up, following Terem Moffi’s opener.

    But shortly before halftime, the referee awarded Algeria a controversial penalty, which Riyad Mahrez converted to make it 1-1.

    Youcef Atal’s long range shot and consequent howler by goalie Francis Uzoho ensured victory for the Desert foxes.

    Iwobi felt that the Nigeria team should have won or at least drawn the game.

    He made his feelings known on his Twitter handle

  • EPL: Iwobi nominated for Premier League player of the month award

    EPL: Iwobi nominated for Premier League player of the month award

    Super Eagles and Everton Midfielder, Alex Iwobi has been nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award for September.

    Iwobi has been highly instrumental and in the best of form for his club Everton this season, playing every minute of the Toffees’ seven Premier League games.

    The Nigeria international assisted the goal in Everton’s 1-0 win against West Ham United last Sunday, their first victory in the Premier League this season.

    The midfielder was named Man of the Match after the game

    The 26-year-old has bagged two assists in Everton’s last two Premier League games.

    Everton’s coach Frank Lampard has hailed Iwobi for his superlative performance for the club on a weekly basis.

    Everton have opened talks to give him a new and improved contract and the Nigerian is expected to put pen to paper for the toffees in the next few days.

    Other players nominated are: Philip Billing (Bournemouth), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa) and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Spurs).

  • Nigerian Midfielder, Iwobi to get improved contract at Everton

    Nigerian Midfielder, Iwobi to get improved contract at Everton

    Super Eagles and Everton playmaker, Alex Iwobi will be given a new contract due to his impressive performance in the current season.

    The Nigerian is one of several stars the Merseyside club are trying to tie down as they look to offer new deals to Jordan Pickford and Anthony Gordon as well.

    Iwobi has been largely influential and his presence felt in all Everton games in the season so far.

    The playmaker played a pivotal role in Everton’s first win of the season against West Ham United over the weekend.

    Iwobi’s importance at Everton has grown under the management of Frank Lampard as the 26-year-old is now a regular starter having been converted from a winger into a midfielder by the former Chelsea boss.

    His current contract expires in the summer of 2024 and he has been approached for a contract extension with improved wages.

    Iwobi is expected to put pen to paper in the coming weeks for a contract extension and improved wages.

    The Midfielder is currently on £50,000 a week but could be getting a little more above £100,000

    Iwobi joined Everton in 2019 from Arsenal and up until this season, the signing looked to have been a massive failure.

    The Nigerian’s turnaround has been remarkable throughout the opening part of the current campaign and played a big part in Lampard’s side getting their first win of the season yesterday over West Ham as the 26-year-old’s pass set up Neal Maupay for the winning goal.

    That was Iwobi’s third assist of the season in all competitions for the Toffees, having also played every minute of football available this season for Frank Lampard.

    Iwobi has been invited to the Super Eagles camp ahead of the friendly match against Algeria in Oran on the 27th of September.

  • EPL: Iwobi thrilled to win Man of the Match award for Everton

    EPL: Iwobi thrilled to win Man of the Match award for Everton

    Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi is thrilled to have won the Man of the Match award in Everton’s first win of the season.

    Iwobi was in brilliant form as he provided an assist to help Everton win their first  game of the season against West Ham on Sunday.

    The former Arsenal star supplied the assist for Neal Maupay’s clincher as the Toffees were looking to do one better and claim their first three points of the season after a great performance against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park two weeks ago.

    The Nigerian Midfielder, sent a beautiful pass to Neal Maupay who wasted no time to shoot past West Ham goalie, Fabianski to put the Toffess a goal up.

    The goal would eventually serve as the winner as Everton secured their first maximun points of the season.

    Iwobi, registered 74 touches and an 83 percent pass accuracy in yet another good game in the middle of the park, has completed the ninety minutes in all seven of Everton’s Premier League matches this term, clocking two assists.

    In the post match conferfence, Iwobi made good remarks about the game.

    He said “We have been playing really well. The performances were good, it was just about getting the result and getting the win. It’s a great way to go into the international break.”

    When asked about his key pass that played in Neal Maupay to get his first goal in an Everton shirt, Iwobi seemed thrilled.

    “I’m glad you remember! Anything I can do to create chances for my teammates, and I trust them to hit the back of the net and Neal was able to do that.”

     

  • Ian Wright faults Arsenal for selling Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi

    Ian Wright faults Arsenal for selling Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi

    Arsenal legend, Ian Wright, has said lambasted Arsenal for selling Alex Iwobi to Everton, saying the Nigerian is a collosus.

    Wright accused Arsenal of making a big mistake by doing away with the Midfielder.

    He said that the midfielder would have thrived at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, saying that the Nigerian is doing a very good job at Goodison Park.

    Iwobi left the Emirates for Goodison Park in 2019 for a fee rising to £35million and struggled at Merseyside but has now found a new lease of life under Frank Lampard.

    Wright believes that the Nigeria international is now the sort of player that Arteta wants.

    “I’m so pleased with the way it’s going for him. I remember Arsenal fans, it’s the same thing they did with Oxlade-Chamberlain, they ridiculed him.

    “I remember watching him play in midfield early days for Arsenal at West Ham, and you’re seeing something,” said Wright on the Wright’s House Podcast.

    He hailed Iwobi’s ball progression and work rate under Frank Lampard, who he believes has “now recognised” the Nigeria international and put him in the midfield.

    The former Arsenal striker also noted that Everton fans are adoring the Nigerian when he is doing his work.

    “I’m just talking about somebody who’s making a massive difference to what Everton need – the work rate, his ball progression, his passing, everything ” he added.

    “He’s the pass before the assist, people don’t realise it. You look at his work rate, it’s unbelievable.”

  • Super Eagles midfielder Iwobi happy for Everton’s win over Chelsea

    Super Eagles midfielder Iwobi happy for Everton’s win over Chelsea

    Super Eagles and Everton midfielder, Alex Iwobi, is still in joyous mood after his club Everton defeated Chelsea 1-0 in their quest to escape relegation in the English Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

    Richarlison capitalized on a defensive mix-up from the hosts to net the winner in the second half.

    Evertoon bagged the maximum points in the encounter to continue pushing up their quest to stay afloat in the EPL.

    Iwobi played the entire 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge and put in a typically industrious performance.

    After the match, he tweeted: “The Blue Flame is Still Burning!”

    Iwobi has scored two goals and provided one assist in 23 Premier League games this season.

    Everton are currently 18th in the Premier League with 32 points from 33 games.

  • JUST IN: Alex Iwobi reacts after negative COVID-19 test [VIDEO]

    JUST IN: Alex Iwobi reacts after negative COVID-19 test [VIDEO]

    Super Eagles star, Alex Iwobi has reacted after testing negative to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that barred him from playing against the Squirrels of Benin Republic on Saturday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Iwobi tested positive following the COVID-19 tests conducted on the Super Eagles squad on arrival in Porto Novo, Benin Republic.

    Following laid down COVID-19 protocols, the Everton marksman has been in isolation in his room.

    However, Clina Lancet Laboratories in Victoria Island, Lagos conducted PCR tests, and with this, Iwobi’s test returned negative.

    “Thanks to everyone showing me love and support for this difficult time. The love has been quite overwhelming and I really appreciate it.

    “I had to respect the FIFA and CAF protocols by isolating in my room. It wasn’t easy, especially knowing you have no symptoms and you are okay, but you don’t know. The main thing is that I am healthy and I am ready to go for the last game.

    “I will like to say a thank you to the NFF president. He took me like a son; made sure I was able to isolate comfortably. So, thank you to him.

    “And also to my teammates, to the staff, to the coach, always checking up on me and making sure I am okay.

    “I am ready to go for the last game. Let’s see if we can stay unbeaten,” Iwobi said.

    Watch video below:

  • BREAKING: CAF clears Iwobi to play against Lesotho

    BREAKING: CAF clears Iwobi to play against Lesotho

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has cleared Super Eagles star, Alex Iwobi to play against the Crocodiles of Lesotho.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Iwobi can now play in Tuesday’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier game after further tests showed he is negative to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    Officials in Benin Republic had earlier claimed the Everton man’s test returned a positive result.

    That forced him to miss the 8-year jinx breaking fixture against the Squirrels of Benin last Saturday.

    “CAF has cleared Alex Iwobi to play today’s game against Lesotho. The Super Eagles player had earlier tested positive following the COVID-19 tests conducted on the Super Eagles squad on arrival in Porto Novo, Benin Republic.

    “However, Alex Iwobi’s further COVID-19 tests have returned negative. Clina Lancet Laboratories in Victoria Island, Lagos conducted the PCR tests. With this, Alex Iwobi is up selection today,” a statement emanating from the Super Eagles camp reads.

    TNG reports the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the development.