Alex Iwobi insists it was difficult for him to move from Everton this summer but his £22million transfer to Fulham was the best for all parties. The Nigerian international quit the Blues on September 1 to be reunited with Marco Silva, the manager who brought him to Goodison Park from Arsenal for an initial £28million on deadline day four years ago.
When reflecting on Iwobi’s exit, Everton manager Sean Dyche subsequently said: “I didn’t want to lose that player. But at the end of the day it was a very, very substantial for a player with one year left on his contract.”
Iwobi admits that it was not a straightforward decision for him either. He told the Athletic: “It wasn’t an easy decision. I enjoyed my time there, especially the last couple of years.
“I felt like they warmed to me. At the same time, I felt I needed a new challenge, and Fulham are giving me the platform to express myself and do that.”
Last December, then Everton manager Frank Lampard told reporters that new deals for Iwobi, Anthony Gordon and Jordan Pickford were all “close” but the former pair have now both been sold with only the England number one extending his stay. Asked if the financial uncertainty played a part in his departure, the 27-year-old said: “There was a lot of talks behind closed doors — there are things that I’m not allowed to say — but I feel like it was a decision from the club and from me that the best solution was to leave.
“I hope they do well, I have a lot of respect for them and left on good terms.”
Iwobi departed Everton as a player who has matured and evolved since his move to Merseyside. He has added more strings to his bow, becoming a versatile, creative player who looks comfortable now in a central midfield role.
He said: “When I came through the academy (at Arsenal) I played in numerous positions. I feel like my favourite, or the position where I get my most ‘stats’, is probably in midfield, as a number eight.
“When you play in the middle, you get the ball a lot. As a number eight, especially with Fulham, I can get into advanced positions and hopefully hurt the opposition as well. I would say number eight is my best position.”
Silva wants more goals and assists from him and Iwobi is focused on helping Fulham build on a solid start to the season and finding goals after their main striker Aleksandar Mitrovic’s protracted exit this summer. He said: “The main thing is we’re performing well.
“I’m sure if we remain consistent, we will push higher up the table. We create so many chances, now it’s about converting them.”
He is hoping now for his first Premier League start in the west London derby at home to Chelsea on Monday night and is ready to show his true worth for the club. Iwobi said: “This is where I’m grateful.“The manager (here), at Everton too, and the players around me, they see me in training and they say ‘go out in a match and don’t be fearful.’ You’re going to lose the ball — everyone loses the ball — but as long as you are trying the right things to help the team, it doesn’t really matter.
“If they give me the confidence to do so, to express myself, I feel it can get the best out of me.”
