Everton’s new midfield line-up of Alex Iwobi, Idrissa Gueye and Amadou Onana have been ‘key’ to their recent upturn in form, according to journalist Dean Jones.
The trio have started the Toffees’ last two Premier League games together, resulting in back-to-back victories against West Ham United and Southampton either side of the international break.
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Iwobi, who arrived from Arsenal for £34 million back in 2019, has revived his stuttering career following a switch from the wing to central midfield towards the backend of last term.
In the opening weeks of the current campaign, the 58-cap Nigeria international has racked up four assists in nine appearances, already bettering his highest tally for Everton in a single season already.
And Iwobi has been allowed to flourish thanks to the discipline of Gueye anchoring the engine room following his return to the club over the summer.
The Senegal international, who has racked up 94 caps for his country, has brought some much-needed experience to the middle of the park for Everton and has averaged more interceptions per league game (2.3) than any of his teammates.
Onana, a two-cap Belgium international who signed from Lille in August, has complimented the duo perfectly, producing an average of 2.6 tackles in every top-flight fixture, with only Nathan Patterson bettering that tally.
What has Jones said about Everton?
Everton looked in danger of being dragged into another relegation scrap after failing to win any of their opening five Premier League games of 2022/23.
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However, they now boast the best defensive record in the division and are comfortably in mid-table, and Jones believes Lampard will be ‘delighted’ with the contribution his new-look midfield has made.
He told GiveMeSport: “I think that has been key for Everton recently. I think Lampard will be delighted with the growth potential that this team has in that aspect.”
Can Everton maintain their recent form?
A tough run of matches are around the corner for Everton, who welcome Manchester United to Goodison Park over the weekend before taking on Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United away from home.
Easier games, on paper at least, against Crystal Palace and Fulham complete their October fixture schedule, and Lampard will surely be hoping his side can pick up some momentum in those encounters.
Yet Everton will fancy their chances of coming away with a positive result from most opponents at this moment in time, especially given how resolute their defence and midfield have been in recent weeks.