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Everton: 3 players who need to step up in absence of James Rodriguez

By Parth Jhaveri

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: James Rodriguez of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park on October 03, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: James Rodriguez of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park on October 03, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Everton, Alex Iwobi, Oussama Idrissi
BURNLEY, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 05: Alex Iwobi of Everton FC looks on during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Everton FC at Turf Moor on October 05, 2019 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Alex Iwobi has a golden opportunity.

1. Alex Iwobi

Alex Iwobi will be the obvious choice to play at the right wing but his role will nowhere be similar to James Rodriguez. The Nigerian is not a creator or someone who’ll orchestrate Everton’s attack in the final third.

Iwobi did receive a lot of stick last season for his lacklustre displays often looking like a lost kid in the park. This season too he hasn’t looked very convincing, playing bits and parts of the games coming on as a substitute. There cannot be a better opportunity for the Nigerian to step up and fill the temporary void that will be left by some extent.

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Alex Iwobi may not be able to replicate James’ quality of controlling and dictating the attack but can make those threating runs. The Nigerian has is known to take on defenders and showcase his flashy dribbling but the problem is that he too often loses the ball in doing that.

If he can minimize losing the ball and being more productive in the final third, Iwobi could finally live up to the expectations of fans. It is predictable that he will start on the right rather than left wing, making his link up play with right back Kenny or Godfrey even more important.

Iwobi has to pump in regular crosses and also fancy taking a few chances. Alex Iwobi will also have defensive duties that he will have to adhere to and help the team out in the defence.

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