Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi credits Frank Lampard for reviving his career

Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC)/X

Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi has credited former Everton manager Frank Lampard for helping him re-launch his career.

Iwobi, who has been in fantastic form for Fulham, recounted his tumultuous period while with the Toffees after joining them from Arsenal in 2019. The Super Eagle played under top coaches like Carlo Ancelotti, Frank Lampard and Rafael Benitez at Goodison Park but has singled out the former England international for reviving his career.

Speaking on The Inside Scoop podcast, the 29-year-old said: “Lampard, hands down. Lampard revived my career. One of the AFCONs I got sent off, I came back, and Rafa Benitez told me I would go out on loan.”

“I was having a mare, but then Benitez was gone. Lampard told me I would be going on loan to another country. I said, ‘I’m not doing that, I’d rather stay here and fight for my place.’ Lampard gives everyone a chance. In training, I’m a very good training player.

“He said, ‘You can do this in training, why can’t you do it in matches?’ I told him, ‘I’ve been told by previous managers to set the ball and run.’"

“He then said, ‘No, do your own thing.’ He then put me in midfield, where I liked being on the ball. He said, ‘Express yourself, be you,’ and that’s where I revitalised my career. I’d say under Lampard was my best time.”

Iwobi joined Fulham in 2023 under Marco Silva — another former Everton boss and has taken his game to another level this season, playing all 37 of Fulham’s Premier League matches.