Alex Iwobi has admitted he would like to stay at Everton beyond his current 2024 contract and revealed how he used to play football with his friends in disguise 'just to enjoy it'.
The 26-year-old is undoubtedly enjoying the form of his life this season, with a move into central midfield allowing him to become one of Frank Lampard's most influential players and a fan-favourite among the Goodison Park faithful. Iwobi has been an ever-present in the Premier League as one of only four players - alongside Vitalii Mykolenko, James Tarkowski and Demarai Gray - to start all 13 games.
Far-cry from this time last season, with the Nigerian making just five starts and a further four late substitute appearances by the start of November as he fell out of favour under Rafael Benitez. Those months prior to Lampard's arrival were a tough period for Iwobi in particular, with the former Arsenal man often coming in for criticism as the Toffees struggled, and speaking to the i, he admitted he used to hide under snood and hat in order to play with his friends in a bid to just enjoy football again.
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“I can deal with negativity much better now I have grown up,” Iwobi said. “When I was younger, I didn’t know how to handle those things. I completely switch off from football, I want my own space and thoughts, I don’t like to talk or have someone telling me what to do.
“I probably shouldn’t be saying this. but I would play football with my friends, especially when I wasn’t in the team. Little games, maybe twice a week, just to enjoy it. I never lost my love for football, even though I saw all the negativity.
“We played at a place in Manchester. I always wore a hat and snood, otherwise people would have recognised me. There were about 16 of us. At first, I knew about five people, but once I went regularly, I got to know everyone. It was good fun.”
With Iwobi struggling to find consistent minutes under Benitez, the Everton manager told his player in no uncertain terms that he should leave in the January transfer window if wants to play.
“It felt like everyone wanted me to go,” Iwobi claimed. “They said, ‘If you want to play football, you would be better off on loan’. It was like, ‘You are not in our plans, try to prove yourself elsewhere’. I said I would rather take my chances and stay. I felt I had something to give and wanted to show my ability.
“The supporters were probably thinking, ‘We are better off getting someone who can do the job’. I was told in the past I wasn’t good enough. When I hear that it motivates me to try to prove my point.”
But having transformed into an all-action, energetic presence in Lampard's midfield, the Nigerian's confidence has blossomed and he is now among the club's top performers week in, week out. Talk of a new contract has been on the horizon, with his current deal running out in 2024, and the ECHO understands discussions have been ongoing for a few weeks.
For Iwobi, his stance is clear: “I want to win as many things as I can with this club. That is why I came here, the club was very ambitious and it still is. I’d like to stay.”
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