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Fulham manager Marco Silva is convinced that Nigeria international Alex Iwobi is among the best players, if not the best player in the club so far this season, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Since joining the Cottagers last season, Iwobi has been impressive, establishing himself as one of Silva’s key players.
The Super Eagles star has scored twice and provided two assists in 11 Premier League appearances this campaign.
His latest goal contribution came in Fulham’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, a result that has seen them climb to eight on the log.
The Nigerian set up Harry Wilson for the visitors’ second goal just seven minutes before the end of the game to put the encounter to bed.
While Wilson, who also netted twice against Brentford last weekend and boasts three goals in seven substitute appearances, continues to struggle for a starting berth, Iwobi has started all of Fulham’s 11 Premier League games so far this season.
Shedding light on his decision to keep Iwobi in the starting lineup over Wilson, Silva said the Nigerian had been impressive since the start of the season and remained one of his best players.
“He’s doing the right things. He’s not doing anything wrong to not start. He’s competing against very good players, too.
“Alex, for example, is one of the best players so far this season, if not the best. From the first day of pre-season, he’s been so, so brilliant.”
Silva added, “Adama (Traoré) had a fantastic start of the season, too. Right now, he is on the bench because Reiss Nelson is doing so well.
“Great competition between them—it’s great for me. Good headache, but great for me and the team as well. If I could play with 12 or 13, it’d be easier for me, but I can’t!”
The Fulham boss acknowledged that Wilson’s “desire is to play from the start” but reiterated that the decision is about maintaining form and team balance.
“I’m here to make decisions, but he’s done nothing wrong to not play,” Silva clarified. “It’s just because I’m deciding for the others, and the others are having a very good season as well.”
Wilson’s form has been undeniable, especially after his goal against Crystal Palace, where the former Liverpool man scored just 39 seconds after coming on.
Silva praised his sharpness, saying, “It was a great week for him. Last Monday, he decided the game for us. This afternoon again, one of the first times he touched the ball, he scored. A great move.
“His sharpness when he makes this type of move is really good; the capacity that he has to arrive in those areas is really good, too.”
Silva also highlighted the partnership between Wilson and Iwobi, saying, “That connection that he’s creating with Alex—it’s not the first time that we created a chance like that, and he did it again, and I’m really pleased for him.”
Iwobi will link with the Eagles ahead of the international break for the final phase of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
Nigeria are top of their Group C with 10 points, and a win will guarantee their spot at the next AFCON in Morocco with a game to spare.
