“He’s one of Everton’s BIGGEST MISTAKE…” See Player Everton SOLD for Peanut Who is NOW Outperforming Salah and Palmer in ONE KEY Area….

Everton’s Midfield Conundrum: The Alex Iwobi Conundrum

Everton’s precarious position in the Premier League table has raised concerns among fans and pundits alike. With a grueling run of fixtures looming in December, Sean Dyche’s side urgently needs to address their creative shortcomings in midfield.

The Toffees’ decision to sell Alex Iwobi to Fulham in 2023 has come back to haunt them. Iwobi’s impressive displays for the Cottagers have highlighted the playmaking void left at Goodison Park. Last season, the Nigerian international excelled in a central midfield role, scoring twice and providing nine assists.

According to Sofascore, Iwobi averaged 1.7 key passes per game, creating eight big chances without being the designated set-piece specialist. This term, he ranks among the top 12% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League for passes attempted, the top 26% for shot-creating actions, and the top 4% for progressive passes per 90.

Iwobi’s exceptional ball-playing skills have seen him outperform top-tier players, including Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, in passes played into the penalty area. This impressive statistic underscores the creative spark Everton sorely lacks.

Dyche’s pragmatic approach has yielded results, but the team’s reliance on set-plays and Dwight McNeil’s deliveries underscores the need for increased creativity from open play. Amadou Onana’s £50m departure and the arrivals of Tim Iroegbunam and Orel Mangala have failed to fill the void.

Everton’s remaining fixtures offer little respite, with daunting clashes against Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea. To avoid stagnation, Dyche must address the midfield conundrum, perhaps by uncovering a new playmaker or revising his tactics to unlock the potential of his existing squad.

Key Points:

• Everton’s midfield lacks creativity, relying heavily on set-plays.
• Alex Iwobi’s departure to Fulham has left a significant playmaking void.
• Iwobi outperforms top players, including Salah and Palmer, in passes into the penalty area.
• Everton’s remaining fixtures pose a significant challenge.
• Dyche must address the midfield conundrum to avoid stagnation.