Everton winger Alex Iwobi is happier with his football than he has been for a long time – even if new manager Sean Dyche’s methods have left him too tired to get off the sofa.
The 26-year-old, who said talks over a new contract are looking “positive”, has been one the club’s best performers over the last 18 months.
But as he begins life under a fifth different permanent boss at Goodison Park since arriving in 2019, the Nigeria international knows he cannot rest on his laurels after he and the squad were given an early indication of the rewards Dyche’s approach to the physical side of the game can bring following the victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal last weekend. “Of course it has been tough for the past three years – it wasn’t a great start when I signed – but I’m probably the happiest I’ve been for a while,” said Iwobi. “I am consistently playing a lot of football and especially at Everton, it’s a very good club with a lot of history in the Premier League. “I am happy, I just hopefully can maintain that and keep going.” Dyche moved Iwobi out wide from the central role he occupied under Lampard but the player insists having to readjust is not a problem for him. “Where I am fortunate is that I have had different positions to adapt to,” he added. “I have played everywhere since I was a kid, bar centre-back, so no matter what role I have been asked to play I have learned and adapted quickly. “Sometimes I haven’t even known where I am going to playing even in training.
I’m back out wide with this manager but wherever he wants me to play I will try. “At the end of the day, it’s for the team to get the best results.