Alex Iwobi scores for Nigeria in 2-1 win

He's got the legs to play as a box-to-box midfielder, just needs better decision-making.

I agree Dave, Brian, he needs more of the ‘bottle’, more aggression and to play without fear. But the lad is going the right way, has the all important confidence back and is really enjoying his football.

We should expect more from him next season, all the relentless energy he brings plus the essential end product. Frank has to make sure Alex maintains the former and improves the latter. He’s capable of it.

A peculiar player but plenty of skill and character. Where he fits in is unclear, however.

As you say, it's a head-scratcher – where does he fit in and into what formation? I'd like there to be some clarity to our playing style so the manager can recruit for it, players can train for it, grow into it and command their positions. Then other teams can start chopping and changing and worrying about us a bit, rather than vice versa.

Back to Iwobi, I think we have to try to exploit and encourage his running from midfield into the box, learn to feed him. There's mileage in it for goals and assists. He could be used as part of a midfield in a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 set-up? These things are above my pay grade.

It could be that Lampard has a hand in this or that quite a few other players were playing under a cloud at Goodison and needed a change in coaching.

Anyway, we all hope the best is yet to come and, at the same time; Antony Gordon scored again for England Under-21s.

This has been a breakthrough season for the lad and, although he still has a few rough edges, he could really emerge as a tremendous asset to the Blues next season.

That was evident well before Frank arrived. Fortunately the new manager has recognised that and found a way to exploit the player's strengths.

If you listen to the players talk about the best player in training and the most skilful, a lot say Iwobi. He apparently grew up playing futsal where there is very little time to think on the ball. This could be another reason he struggled out wide when he had time to think about where to run, which pass to make and time to think about a cross.

I remember reading an interview with Graeme Sharp who said that he preferred to hit the ball first time and struggled when he had time to think about shooting.

I have come on these forums and called for him to never play for Everton again, when he put in some really poor performances. But, he seemed to come alive at the end of the season.

Can he now maintain that level of performance consistently is the question that Lampard needs to ask himself. Otherwise, would selling him now when his stock is relatively high, make more sense?

Pros:
Hard trier
Never shirks
Rarely injured
Team player - does not show bad attitude

You just know that there is a good player in there, but he needs to be played in a role that exploits his strengths.

Cons:
Poor tackler
Turns into a headless chicken quite often
Poor return on investment, so far

mpard has mainly used him in the wing back role, which for me really limits our attacking options. For long periods in many games Iwobi ended up being another defender and we end up playing 5 at the back.

I really hope Lampard ditches his 3 at the back set up, as England proved the other day they struggled with the system. Yes I know Conte was successful at Chelsea using 3 at the back, but no coincidence the most successful teams in the Premier League play a back 4.

Getting back to Iwobi, I feel like if he is to get a regular spot then he has to improve his goal ratio, as do our midfield. I hope Lampard addresses these areas before the start of the new season, as our lack of goals apart from Richarlison was one of our biggest problems.

I think he fits very well in Fulham! Don't they normally shop heavily when they are promoted and Iwobi probably likes London.

For me he will never make it. Obviously he has improved under Frank. But from a ridiculously low point.

For me a neat technical player but no instinct, no bottle and very little end product. On another thread, it is almost celebrated that Sigurdsson is leaving but he did have one thing in his locker. End product. And after all goals are winning you matches – not being best in training or having nice passes in your on half.

I can't see Iwobi succeeding in a Number 10 role. He seems to panic when in good positions and hence his poor stats on goals and assists.

He has certainly improved but is still not good enough.

100% agree with you. I've moaned about Iwobi's lack of courage for a few seasons and half a dozen decent games doesn't wipe the slate clean.

Again, I agree wholeheartedly that he has improved over the half a dozen games but he didn't have a high bar set to be better than he was. He's still, IMO, a Monday to Friday player.

Great with the tricks in training but doesn't like an opposition player anywhere near him and always stops a little distance from an opposition player he may well have "chased" for 30 yards.