Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi could see his gametime take a hit following Marco Silva's comments.
Fulham's manager, Marco Silva, has stated definitively that they will sign a wide player this transfer window. This could pose a threat to Alex Iwobi’s game time.
Iwobi has been an important player for the Cottagers since signing from Everton in the summer of 2023. Most recently, he scored the winning goal in their triumph over newly promoted Leicester City.
17:05 - 24.08.2024
Fulham vs Leicester: Alex Iwobi's winner helps Cottagers triumph over Ndidi's Foxes
Nigeria's Alex Iwobi scored the all-important goal as Fulham bounced back from the defeat against Manchester United with a victory over Leicester City.
12:30 - 25.08.2024
‘He is different’ - Man United legend praises Alex Iwobi’s performance against Leicester
Alex Iwobi has received praise from former Manchester United star following his impressive performance against Leicester City.
What Marco Silva said
Speaking after the match, and with the transfer window running down with less than two weeks to go, Silva addressed their activity in the transfer window.
He told reporters that they have identified wide forward positions as areas that need addressing and that they will sign a player in the position this summer.
"We are going to add a wide player,” Marco Silva said, per the BBC. “We lost two wingers from last season; we are going to add a wide player. Those areas of the pitch are going to be the last piece of our market."
How it could affect Iwobi
Iwobi has featured across all midfield positions in Marco Silva’s 4-2-3-1. He has played as one of the two in the double pivot, has functioned as the number 10, and has played in both wide areas flanking the number 10.
Despite his utility, Silva favours him more in those wide areas and has featured him more in those positions. With the arrival of Smith Rowe, who featured in the number 10 role, Iwobi started exclusively at wide left in both matches Fulham played this season. Unless Silva decides to use him in another position, the arrival of a new winger could impact Iwobi's game time.