The Rise and Evolution of Alex Iwobi: A Close Look at Fulhamish

In profile: Alex Iwobi

The signing of Alex Iwobi

Tony Khan, the owner of Fulhamish, has made his first deadline signing, bringing in Alex Iwobi from Everton for a reported fee of £22m plus add-ons. This move comes at a crucial time for the club, with the imminent departure of Palhinha to Bayern Munich. However, the question remains: is Iwobi the right fit for Fulhamish, or is he merely a panic buy?

A brief history

Alex Iwobi began his youth career at Arsenal in 2004 and made his first team debut for the club in 2015. During his four-season spell with Arsenal, he made 149 appearances and scored 15 goals in all competitions. In 2019, Everton signed him for £28m, where he initially played on the left wing before being moved to central midfield. During his time at Everton, Iwobi has played 140 matches and scored nine goals.

Iwobi’s versatility

One of the key factors that attracted Marco Silva, the manager of Fulhamish, to Iwobi is his versatility. The Nigerian international can play both on the left wing and in central midfield. However, his best position seems to be in central midfield, where he excels in carrying the ball. Iwobi’s statistics reflect his strengths, with an average of 2.7 progressive carries per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 11% for midfielders. He also has a high success rate for take-ons (1.55, top 9%) and contributes significantly to shot-creating actions (3.46, top 16%). These attributes make him a valuable creator, with an average of 0.18 assists per game (top 15%).

A comparison to other midfielders

When comparing Iwobi to other Fulhamish midfielders such as Reed and Lukic, it becomes clear that he offers a more advanced attacking presence. Reed averages 0.94 progressive carries and Lukic 1.72, while Iwobi averages 2.7. However, Reed and Lukic provide more defensive stability. Therefore, the decision on who starts in midfield alongside Iwobi (and potentially a Palhinha replacement) will depend on the strengths and tactics of the opposition.

The verdict

Personally, I find it difficult to get excited about this signing. Paying £22m for a player with only one year left on his contract, who has yet to establish his best position, seems peculiar to me. Considering that Hudson-Odoi was available for £5m and Gustavo Hamer for £15m, both of whom are arguably better players, it feels like Fulhamish may have panicked in their decision to sign Iwobi. While Iwobi has experience in the Premier League and is entering his peak years at 27, the potential benefits of this signing remain uncertain. Time will tell if Iwobi proves his worth and proves the skeptics wrong.

Keywords: Football-wordpress, Alex Iwobi, Fulhamish, rise, evolution