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Tag: Alex Iwobi

  • Iwobi plays for 35 minutes in Everton’s 2-0 home defeat

    Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi was in action for 35 minutes as Everton suffered home defeat in the hands of Sheffield United on Saturday in front of their disappointed fans.

    Iwobi who joined the Toffees in a five year deal early August came in as late substitute for Frenchman Morgan Schneiderlin in the 55th minute. It was a day that appeared to have Chosen to be nightmarish for the Goodison Park landlords following an own goal by Everton Defender Yina Mina in the 40th minute.

    The early goal no doubt hit Everton below the belt and was a rather a shocker to the homers who controlled lion share possession in the ratio of 72 to 28% unfortunately all the efforts made to translate the effort into an equaliser failed to materialise.

    The Situation was further compounded for the homers when Lys Mousset scored the second goal for Sheffield United who from that point ensured they never blinked in the defence guarding their lead jealously to the end.

    Sheffield United duo celebrate Everton defeat

    Saturday’s defeat marks the third in Everton’s four premier league outings this season.

    Toffee fans did not find the defeat funny as many of them walked out before the end of the match while those who stayed behind voiced their displeasure at full time.

    Everton went into Saturday’s match fresh from a 3-1 defeat by AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

    Interestingly the Nigerian international was in action for full 90 minutes in that encounter.

    The Marco Silva tutored side have a Tuesday date with Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup and  Sheffield Wednesday may be hoping   to continue where Sheffield United stopped.

     

  • Silva tasks Iwobi on goals scoring, creativity

    AWARE of the quality possessed by the Nigerian, Everton boss Marco Silva has challenged Alex Iwobi to continue providing “high-quality, creativity and goals” as the deadline-day signing aims to build on an impressive start to his Everton career.

    The 23-year-old forward has scored in each of his first two starts for the Blues, finding the back of the net with accomplished headers in Everton’s 4-2 Carabao Cup victory at Lincoln City and 3-2 Premier League success against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

    Iwobi’s speed, penetration and intelligent use of the ball has seen him seamlessly slot into manager Silva’s progressive Everton team.

    Read Also: I love attacking football, says iwobi

    Having already showcased his goalscoring instinct, Silva has backed Iwobi to continue providing decisive contributions in the final third of the pitch.

    “It is something I will demand from him more and more,” the manager told evertontv. “With the quality he has I am 100 per cent sure he will give important things for us.

    “He will give high quality in our attack. He can provide creativity playing from the left or behind the striker as an offensive midfielder. And if he can – and I am sure he can – score more goals, it will help the team.

    “The first time I met with him, it was something I put in his mind [his ability to score goals]. If you look at our wingers and the players in forward positions, it is something I demand from them.

    After the international break, Iwobi’s attention will now turn to sustaining his fine Everton form when the Toffees take on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday by 2pm.

    Everton have scored seven goals in Iwobi’s two starting appearances, and Silva believes the forward’s blend of attributes have added a fresh dimension to the Toffees’ attack.

    “He has quality in that final decision,” Silva explained. “In our attack he is a really important player. He can see the space, he can see the solutions, he can see his teammates in the best position to score.

    “In those moments he will help us, because in our last decision he will raise the level of our squad,” he added.

  • Kanu blasts Arsenal over Iwobi sale

    ARSENAL legend Nwankwo Kanu has attacked his former club over its decision to sell Alex Iwobi to Everton for £30million on transfer deadline day.

    ”I would say they made a mistake 100 per cent,’ the Nigeria hero told Goal. ‘Why they let him go, I don’t know. He’s a boy who, in and out, is Arsenal. He always wanted to do his best for the club. He loves the club, but not only that, he can play football.

    ”What he brings week in, week out, the fans need to appreciate that. I think he is still young and those are the type of people you want in the team, people who grew up here, who knows everything about the club and prepared to die for the club. He was one of them, so for us to lose him and to let him go, was a shock. I couldn’t believe we did it, but that’s football.”

    Kanu also admitted he would have advised Iwobi to remain in north London had he been asked by his compatriot.

    Read Also: NFF, Arsenal celebrate Kanu at 43

    ”It was a surprise to everybody because it happened right at the end of the window,” said Kanu. ”If I knew earlier, I could have said to him not to go and that it was better for him to stay. I would have said that there was no need for him to go because at Arsenal he will still play. He’s that good and he needs to know that.

    ”I think Arsenal would have been the best place for him because it’s a big club and you want to play in a big club and Europe. Those are the games you want to play.”

    The Nigeria international has since scored twice in three games for his new club having left his boyhood team after 149 appearances. And Kanu believes Iwobi will prove to be a huge loss.

    Once a Gunner, Always a Gunner. We are proud of you @alexanderiwobi and will continue to support you. Good luck with your new club.

  • ALEX IWOBI: I want to be Premiership legend

    QUICK TAKE

    Favourite Female Artist: Mikki Minaj
    Favourite Male Artist: Drake
    Favourite Nickname: Big 17
    Favourite Comic Hero: Captain America
    Favourite Holiday Spot: Dubai
    Favourite Player(S): Okocha, Ronaldinho,
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    Favourite Nigerian Food: Pounded Yam

    With a goal in two appearances for new club, Everton, Nigeria player Alex Iwobi believes he’s in for a glorious Premiership season. Describing his move to the North London club as ‘not shocking,’ as reported by Premiership followers, he noted that it was a culmination of series of talks with Everton manager, Marco Silva. “He called me repeatedly and said he would like me to fill a spot in his team. He has accomplished so much and I respect him.”

    The 23-year-old had been one of Silva’s primary summer targets, since last season following his impressive stats in the Premiership. Iwobi started 22 Premier League games and scored three goals with seven assists.

    His aim, Iwobi added, is to become a Premiership legend. “When I spoke to the manager during the holiday he was telling me that there is a spot for you. I will take care of you. Basically, they were ready to do all the things that needed and gave me the confidence that all is well. It was too much for me to turn down. I’m ready for a new challenge, new chapter in my life.”

    Iwobi was Everton’s seventh and final close-season recruit. He joins fellow young bucks Moise Kean and Jean Philippe Gbamin in completing moves to Goodison Park.

    Iwobi, in this online interview with Taiwo Alimi, speaks further on the Everton challenge, the transfer deal, Arsenal, Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Mikel Obi and many other things.

     

     

    The Everton deal

    Of course, I was able to look at the playing chances and the fact that some great talents are here (Everton) and more coming in. Not just I but some quality players and I’m excited about the challenge. So far, I’ve been made to feel at home and scoring is quite elating for me. I just know I would do well here. Since I’ve been here I’ve seen how much of a family that I have here. I was welcome well and I can see why it is important to be here. I hope it will be a great time for me.

    Manager Marco Silva

    Before we started talking, I was impressed with the work he has done with the club. He made a name for himself as a coach and he has made many players to reach the height of their game. I hope he would do the same thing for me and that would make me very happy. He went all to get me and that is because he believes in me and has high expectation on me. All I want to do is do even better than he expects.

     

    Expectation

    I have great expectation of myself. At the back of my mind all I’ve wanted to do is to be a great player and Arsenal gave me the opportunity to aspire to that and I hope to even do better here. I’m looking forward to it. This is the opportunity to make a name for myself in the Premiership and create some kind of history. I hope that one day I would also be a Premiership legend like my Uncle (Jay Jay Okocha) and many others that I look up to. That is my dream.

    I came through the rank of Arsenal Academy. I’m only 23 and have had more than a 100 Premiership games and hope that I can take bigger responsibility in Everton. I’m determined and hungry. That is a big part that is needed to succeed. I want to improve my game and give everything. I want basically to be more efficient and get more goals. I have the fighting spirit to go all out and this is what gets me to where I am today. Hard work and determination are the ingredients of success.

     

    Everton challenge

    I always had that youngster tag at Arsenal, so hopefully with this move I am able to make a name for myself. The challenge is here because like Arsenal there are world class players here but even in Arsenal I was not doing badly. I’m sure I can get into Everton squad. It is not going to be easy but I know we shall get there.

    The X-factor

    Aside from determination and hunger for success I try to work hard. You have to work hard to retain your place when you are in the midst of quality players. Because when you slip up another is there to take your place. So you always have to be on top of your game.

     

    Arsenal

    Arsenal made me what I am. I learnt a lot of tricks there from the academy. I’m happy with my stats there, especially last season. I have progressed as the stats have shown. I have gotten involved in a few more goals; I had many good moments there. So many great moments: from scoring my first goal at the Emirates to scoring my last goal in Baku. I’ve been through fantastic coaches who have played a big part in my 17 fantastic years. It was an honour to play for the club I supported as a boy. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Arsenal means the world to me. I grew up dreaming of playing for Arsenal, following in the footsteps of some of my heroes. I’m proud to say that at 23 I’ve achieved one of my dreams; from playing for Arsenal kids to 149 senior appearances. Special thanks to the fans, my team mates, the support staff, my coaches Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery who put faith in me and gave me the opportunity to grow as a player and a man.

     

    AFCON 2019

    It was my first. We did well in the qualifiers, it wasn’t an easy group and we did very well. We knew it wasn’t going to be a walk in the pack. Everybody wanted to beat Nigeria. And we knew it’s been a while since we played at the Africa Cup of Nations.

    Against Cameroon and South Africa I’d say we lifted our game and dug deep. It gave us confidence to go till the end.

    We knew the game against Algeria was not going to be easy because they were the tournament favourite but we did not disappoint. We had a great tournament.

    I had a good tournament and same goes for my teammates too. AFCON bronze makes me feel good. And that is to reinforce the fact that we are getting there. We are not there yet. We are also very young, so the future is still bright. The team is still young, we have lots of young players. There is a lot of hope, a bright future ahead of us.

    I’ve been very blessed to be given the opportunity to play for the Super Eagles. I always wanted to represent and play for Nigeria. I’m always hungry and eager to show that I want to represent my country and do them proud. The players are marvellous and respectful too.

     

    Mikel Obi

    Obi was like a big brother and he inspired all of us. He’s got experience and that helped us a lot too. He was always ready to take responsibility and helped the coach a lot speaking up about ideas we need to look into. He inspires me. He’s always talking to me and tries to help me with my game because he’s a bit different playing on the African continent and to play in Europe; so he’s always there to help me and guide me when I’m playing.

    My goal in AFCON was special and my family, mum and dad were proud of me. They are proud of the progress I’ve made playing for Nigeria and I will not let them down.

     

    Unwinding

    I fiddle with my phone a lot. I use it for lots of things and you will always see me on it when I’m not playing football or training. It is in fact the first thing I turn to when I wake up. I listen to music a lot and at the moment I’m in love with Canadian rapper Drake.

  • Henry Nwosu hails Iwobi

    EX INTERNATIONAL, Henry Nwosu has told Soccernet.ng, Super Eagles’ forward, Alex Iwobi has what it takes to make a name for himself in the colours of Everton in the Premier League.

    Iwobi, who joined Everton in the summer transfer window from Arsenal, has made a bright start to his career at the Merseyside.

    The Nigeria international opened his goal-scoring account in the Carabao Cup against Lincoln City last week and continued in the same pace as he netted his first Premier League goal at the weekend in the team’s 3-2 win over Wolves. However, Nwosu, a member of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winning squad in Lagos, told Soccernet.ng that Iwobi could make a big difference with Everton this ongoing season.

    Read Also: Iwobi watch Everton win Watford at Goodison Park

    “I must confess that I feel impressed with the performance of Alex Iwobi since joining Everton at the summer transfer window. No doubt, many faulted his move to Everton from a big club like Arsenal, where they believe has a better future for him than Everton.

    “But then, he has made a tremendous impact since his move, scoring against Lincoln City in the League Cup and capping his first Premier League start with a goal against Wolves. No better way to make a perfect home debut. He’s certainly a player that can achieve great success with Everton but then, he must remain humble and take every chance that comes his way.”

     

  • Okocha is a magician, says Micah Richards

    MANCHESTER City former right-back, Micah Richards has praised the duo of Austin Okocha and Alex Iwobi for their great exploits on the football field.

    Richards, who stated this when he made a quick stop in Nigeria as part of the Man City Global Tour courtesy of STAR Lager, described Okocha as ‘special’ and ‘full of magic’.

    He also expressed his admiration for Mikel Obi in his prime, as well as Alex Iwobi, who recently departed Arsenal FC for Everton.

    Richards said he was a big fan of Iwobi and congratulated him on his goal-scoring debut at Everton.

    Read Also: Ebonyi soccer fans celebrate Jay Jay Okocha at 46

    Fans were pleasantly surprised to see just how much Richards knew about African football and he made an instant impact on the Nigerian fans, most of which were excited to get up close and personal with the former City Star.

    Fans also got the chance to see the six silverware Manchester City won during the 2018/2019 season, as all trophies were on display at the exclusive event.

    STAR lager made the already remarkable evening, even extra special by giving out Man. City & STAR memorabilia to the guests in attendance.

    STAR’s landmark partnership with the Citizens allows the brand to deliver evenings such as these, which gives fans the opportunity to get even closer to their favourite clubs.

    Alongside Man. City, STAR Lager are also partners with some European football heavyweights such as PSG, Juventus, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea.

  • I love attacking football, says iwobi

    NIGERIA International, Alex Iwobi has revealed his preference for attacking football after scoring for Everton in the 3 – 2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in an English Premier League game played at the Goodison Park on Sunday.

    Richarlison scored twice and Iwobi marked his Everton home debut with a goal as Marco Silva’s side came out on top of a rip-roaring contest with Wolves.

    Brazilian Richarlison headed the winner on 80 minutes – moving Everton up to fifth on the Premier League table – shortly after Raul Jimenez appeared to have rescued a point for Wolves.

    Iwobi who scored his second goal for the Toffees on Sunday after netting his first goal last Wednesday in the EFL Cup against Lincoln City said he was enjoying a good start with his team.

    “It’s a good start for me and the team. We are back to winning ways and that’s the most important thing” the Eagles’ playmaker stated in an interview after the match.

    Iwobi stated he didn’t have any problem coping with the high intensity of yesterday’s match, stressing he had always preferred attacking football more than any other formation.

    “Of course, I love attacking football but we also need to keep our defence tight and try to keep a clean sheet. It’s also good for us to get goals too”

    Read Also: Alex Iwobi Will Score for Us, says Everton Manager Silva

    Having played in the Premier League for more than a decade, Iwobi disclosed that he was enjoying the support of everyone at Everton which has helped him to settle down quickly.”It has been very easy for me to settle down because everyone at Everton has been supportive. I’m enjoying my time here since it’s my new home and I have to make myself comfortable as soon as possible”

    The Nigerian player, however, made a shocking revelation he is not a good header of the ball despite scoring his two goals for Everton so far via headers.

    “To start with, I’m not too good in the air. So people should not get deceived that my two goals have come through headers.

    “I try to do my best to try and hit target anytime I’m in a good position to score. I didn’t even know that I can jump that high”

    Iwobi’s immediate impact on Everton showed in the collective intake of breath around Goodison when the player went down during the match and again in the ovation which greeted his return. He made way following Wolves’ second goal but Iwobi had done plenty to further grow his popularity rating among the faithful.

  • Iwobi watch Everton win Watford at Goodison Park

     

    Everton new buy Alex Iwobi watched from the bench as Toffees ran away with a lone goal victory and three points at the expense of visiting Watford on Saturday.

    The Super Eagles ace who made waves few days back after emerging the most expensive Nigerian player thanks to his €43million transfer from Arsenal, was listed among substitutes for the match that saw Everton shoot into the lead as early as the 19th minute thanks to Brazilian import Bernard.

    The homers who dominated possession and maintained the lone goal lead till the end of the first 45 minutes made every effort to increase the tally but met a brick wall in hard fighting Watford.

    Everton, who pulled a draw against Crystal Palace in the season opener, thus earned their first three points of the season with the victory over Watford.

    Iwobi displays his new club jersey

    Iwobi who confessed that he will be missing former Arsenal teammates, Emirates staff as well as visits to Hale End by virtue of his move to Everton, will be hoping to make his awaited debut for the Toffees on Friday when they face Aston Villa away  to Villa Park.

    Iwobi made 100 appearances for Arsenal between 2015 and 2019 before the move to Everton on August 8 just few weeks after helping the Super Eagles to a third place finish at the Nations cup in Egypt.

     

     

     

     

  • Let’s keep our heads up in the midst of fierce challenges

    Its undeniable  these are gloomy times. There is rising national tension over increasing insecurity, and a whole lot has been written here about out issues. However in the midst of it all,  there have been notable occurrences to rekindle hope ; these will be the focus in this piece.

    Firstly,  there is the Obama Foundation founded in 2014. Five years down the line,  the decision was taken recently by the board to appoint a president to oversee the day to day running of the foundation.  The chairman of the board,  Martin Nesbit in a recent statement announced the appointment of Nigerian American  Adewale Adeyemo as  pioneer president. Fondly called Wally Adeyemo, the Nigerian born economist is now tasked with overseeing almost 200 members of staff. Additionally,  he is going to oversee the construction of a proposed Obama Presidential Centre. Adeyemo is an economic expert and is the former Deputy Director, National Economic Council. He served as President Barack Obama’s senior international economic adviser. He is also the former deputy national security adviser for international economics.

    The Obama Presidential Centre is said to be a $500 million project.

    This cheery news was followed by some  news from the world of football. And even if you are not a football fan, the interesting detail in this story about this Nigerian International cuts across.

    The English Premier League transfer window closed at the dot of 5:00pm on Thursday August 8, 2019. One day before,  Everton football club submitted a bid for the signing of Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi.  The bid offer? £30m. Yes, thirty million pounds sterling.  And that’s not even the news- the Gunners( as the Arsenal club side is also known) TURNED DOWN the Everton offer! The price was not right,  the offer was too low !!

    Indeed,  Iwobi is a good catch for the Toffees (Everton). Iwobi came up through the Arsenal youth set-

    up in North London, to make the first team. He started playing with Arsenal at the age of 8. Last season,  the Nigerian International made 51 appearances in all competitions. He also scored in the final of the Europa League. Arsenal put a peg of an “ excess of £40m’ for Iwobi, finally  settling for a deal valued at £40m on deadline day.

    Now it had happened that the English Premier League club side had just splashed out £72m when they signed on Nicholas Pepe. That was their greatest transfer spending ever,  so Arsenal was looking to recoup a substantial part of that sum. And it was  our very own, Alex Iwobi , on whose head they put such a bounty.

    The point here is  that when it is widely reported how many other 23 year old Nigerians are drowning on the precarious and illegal  Mediterranean crossing to where they would at best scrape menial jobs, one Nigerian has raised the bar such that his team would not part with him, not  for a staggering £30m. That is $36,416,000, or €32,493,600. And at the official rate of £1 to N440.76 , that’s  a hefty N13,219,650,000, roughly !!

    Finally, a UK- born Nigerian  , Kemi Badenoch was named by new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as his cabinet member.  Agreed the name Badenoch is not known to any Nigerian tribe ; still, it’s all joy and pride in Kemi who was before now a member of the UK Parliament.  Sms/WhatsApp 07055547031 Twitter @mikky_princess

  • Everton delay Iwobi’s debut hold Palace at Selhurst Park

     

    Everton resisted the temptation to launch their latest new buy Alex Iwobi into the season opener against Crystal Palace on Saturday.  Iwobi who joined the Toffees in the last minute of transfers for £35million was conspicuously missing from the Everton’s line up away against Crystal Palace.

    The Nigerian international who has already been handed the No.17 Shirt will have to wait till next Saturday when Everton host Watford at the Goodison Park to make the much awaited debut.

    Iwobi who was given thumbs up by former club Arsenal for contributing immensely to the successes recorded by the club in his over 15 years sojourn at the Emirates is being tipped to help fire the Toffees to the top four at the end of the season.

    The 23 year old may be tempted to replicate what his uncle and former Nigeria international jay Jay Okocha did for Bolton Wanderers when he joined on free transfer from PSG in 2002. He shunned injury worries then worked so hard to steer the team away from relegation.

    Bolton fans were so impressed with his performance that the team printed shirts with inscription “Jay-Jay – so good they named him twice”.  He scored crucial seven goals including the team goal of the season in the vital league win against West Ham.

    Everton put up a good show against hosts Crystal Palace on Saturday earning a point away to begin their quest for glory on a good footing.

    Crystal palace battle visiting Everton at the Selhurst Park

    In one of the opening matches played Saturday, premier league defending champions Manchester City made mincemeat of West Ham United thanks to a 5-0 demolition with Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero having goal feast.

    Liverpool, who missed the premier league title by whiskers last season, opened proceedings on Friday with a 4-1 defeat of new comers Norwich City.