Adrian Durham is the latest pundit to pile in on the criticism of Everton man Alex Iwobi.
The former Arsenal starlet caught headlines for a howler of a miss at Goodison Park in the most recent Everton clash against West Ham, a game that ultimately saw the Toffees coming unstuck in a 1-0 loss.
However, one notable flashpoint added to the frustrations at Goodison Park when a superb piece of individual breaking from Demarai Gray was wasted following a hacked shot from Iwobi that scarcely troubled the Hammers’ back line.
The 25-year-old was hauled off for Anthony Gordon just before the eighty-minute mark in what was the only substitution made by the Everton manager.
It was a testament to the Nigeria international’s failure to make an impact at Everton – something that drew fresh criticism from Durham as the talkSPORT host took to the airwaves.
Speaking on talkSPORT’s Monday ‘Drive’ show via Goodison News [18/10/21], Durham suggested that Iwobi is a waste of resources at Everton.
“Iwobi fluffed a couple of them [chances],” Durham said.
“Listen, for a player that cost £36m, and my understanding is he’s on a fair wedge, he’s got to put chances like that away.
“When you get the chance to start for Everton Football Club and you’re presented with opportunities like that and you’re producing an air shot, you’ve got to focus and concentrate harder and make sure you get a contact on the ball, and at least force the goalkeeper to make a save.”
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Iwobi has hardly impressed, given his failure to achieve the fundamentals at Everton.
When you consider his price tag, the fact that he has scored just five goals in 74 appearances for the Blues and is yet to nail down a regular position in the side, is disappointing.
It’s no wonder that Gray and Andros Townsend – signed for a combined £1.7 million – are more trusted options by Benitez as a result.
