Alex Iwobi came through the ranks at Arsenal and has been shining for Fulham, but it is a manager from his Everton days he credits as the most influential in his career.
The 29-year-old is closing in on 300 Premier League appearances and has won 85 caps for Nigeria over a professional career which began in 2015 when he made his Arsenal debut.
Legendary Gunners boss Arsene Wenger gave the midfielder his first taste of senior football and he would also play under Unai Emery at the Emirates.
In 2019 Iwobi moved to Goodison Park when Marco Silva was in charge of Everton and in four years with the Toffees he would also play under Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez, Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche.
He is now back with Silva at Fulham but it is Lampard who stands out as making the biggest difference to his career.
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The Chelsea legend was only in charge of Everton for a year, leading the team for 44 matches, but he left his mark on Iwobi.
‘For me, Frank Lampard has the biggest influence on my career,’ Iwobi told SportsBoom.com.
‘When I was at Everton and going through a difficult stage, he gave me the confidence to showcase my talent once again and I’ll forever be grateful for the belief he gave me.’
It was clear at the time how highly Lampard thought of Iwobi as he hailed him as one of the best in the Premier League in central midfield, having previously been used out wide.
‘I think he’s one of the best midfield players in the league in my opinion in terms of being a No.6 or No.8,’ Lampard said during his time in charge of the Toffees in 2022.
‘He played as a double No.6 earlier in the season and was really, really good for us, and then moved into a slight advanced No.8, and again, his form has been great.
Alex Iwobi Premier League stats
Apps: 294
Goals: 31
Assists: 36
‘His development has been brilliant. It’s a funny one, I think there was a perception about Alex when I came in, and it’s all his work, all I’ve done is support him and try to maybe adapt the position slightly, the rest is him.
‘I felt and always saw he’d be dangerous in the middle area of the pitch. It probably helped I was a midfield player and I understood some of the things he had I wouldn’t want to go up against, and I felt they were restricted on the wing. Opening the pitch up more centrally was a big help for him and then the rest is him.
‘I’ve been really pleased to see his development, I just want more from him because I think with what he’s got, attribute wise, I think there’s still more to come.
‘Sometimes you don’t want to dribble in the middle of the park but at the same time, when players in midfield have an ability to go past you, I always remember, I’m not comparing him by the way but I always remember Yaya Toure as a player, he was a midfield player who could take you in and go past you both ways as such, and I always found that a difficult threat in game.
‘I think when a player has that talent, and can play but also has vision, can pass and off-the-ball work-rate then I think it’s something you really want to work with and can be a big help for the team.’
Iwobi made 140 appearances for Everton, scoring nine goals, but has come into his own still further at Fulham under Silva, scoring 15 times in 81 outings in all competitions.
Silva said of the Nigeria international last year: ‘He’s a really important player for me because he’s really versatile. He can play in many different positions. I can move him in one football match without making many changes.
‘He’s adding something to his game and he’s improving in the attack. The decisions in terms of assists and goals, he’s adding really in a very good way for his game and we are delighted for it.’