Darren Bent claims that Alex Iwobi isn’t good enough to play in the No.10 role for Everton.
The Nigeria international starred for the Toffees behind the striker against West Ham, flanked on either side by Bernard and Theo Walcott.
Many fans had been calling on Marco Silva to give either Iwobi or Bernard a chance at playing in a central role, and the former Watford boss obliged, dropping Gylfi Sigurdsson to the bench to accommodate both wide attackers.
Iwobi impressed in his role as a No.10 as Everton beat the Hammers 2-0, their first win in the Premier League since beating Wolves on September 1.
However, despite praising the attackers work rate, former England international Bent doesn’t feel like Iwobi is ready to play that role for the Blues. Talking exclusively to Football Insider, Bent said:
He’s a funny one as for me he works really hard.
Any player would want him in their team as he works so hard but my only issue with him is that if you’re going to play that No.10 role you need to have better quality on the ball and for me, too many times, he’ll pick the wrong option as he’ll shoot rather than pass or overshoot his pass, so if you’re going to play a No.10 it needs to be someone like Sigurdsson.
He’s got that kind of technique, which he showed with the second goal, that means he can play No.10 and Iwobi, for a manager, he is a manager’s dream as he works really hard but to play No.10, you need to have more quality.
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Bent’s statement very much feels like it has been entirely based upon one failed opportunity to score which, admittedly was a howler, but it happens to every player from time to time.
Sigurdsson is naturally suited to the No.10 role, but you have to consider the larger picture, and how his presence impacts the rest of the starting line-up.
Sigurdsson slows play down, whereas Iwobi lets the team breathe, and with Bernard, Richarlison and one of either Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Moise Kean or Theo Walcott also making up that attacking quartet, there is plenty of positive and creative momentum.
Iwobi needs more minutes in that position to develop, because of course he isn’t the finished article, but he has potential to really grow and make that role his own with time.
