Super Eagles Star Alex Iwobi Reveals How Frank Lampard Revived His Everton Career After AFCON 2021 Setback

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has reflected on one of the toughest chapters of his club career, explaining how a difficult spell at Everton F.C. nearly led to a loan move before a managerial change transformed his fortunes.

Iwobi’s struggles intensified after the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was sent off during Nigeria’s round-of-16 defeat to Tunisia. The red card compounded what had already been a frustrating period for the midfielder at club level.

On returning to Everton, Iwobi revealed that then-manager Rafael Benítez informed him that he would be sent out on loan.

“There was one of the AFCON I got sent off, came back, they said Alex, you’re gonna go on a loan,” Iwobi recalled. “Although this is Rafa Benitez, I wasn’t playing like that.

“So I went to AFCON, wasn’t really playing, then I played in the round of 16, got sent off. Come back thinking, ‘Oh my God, I’m having a mare. I’m probably never gonna play.’”

However, his situation changed dramatically with the arrival of Frank Lampard as Everton manager. Rather than pushing him out, Lampard handed Iwobi a fresh opportunity — and a new role.

He said, “Lampard gives everyone a chance. He was like, ‘If you can do it in training, why can't you do it in matches?’ Previous managers had told me to stick to the tactics board. But they said, ‘No, do your thing.’”

“Then Lampard played me and put me in midfield where I actually like playing, getting on the ball,” Iwobi recalled.

He continued, “He said, ‘Express yourself, be you.’ That’s where I revitalised my career. So yeah, I’ll say Lampard was my best time.”