Nigerian football star, Alex Iwobi is targeting his 90th Premier League win as Everton prepare to host table-toppers, Manchester City at Goodison Park on Sunday. Manchester City will come into the game with a 10-match Premier League winning streak, but Iwobi, who has been in fantastic form this season, scoring twice and providing seven assists, will be seeking to help Everton end City’s impressive run.
Despite playing eight times against Manchester City since making his Premier League debut, Iwobi has neither scored nor provided any assist against them. However, he will be looking to change that on Sunday and also aim to equal his league appearance record if he plays.
Everton’s forward also has a personal record in sight. If he starts against Manchester City, the game will be his 35th appearance this season, equaling the number of appearances he made in the 2018/2019 season while at Arsenal. Unlike that season when he only started 22 games, he will be setting a personal record of starting 35 straight Premier League games in 35 matches.
Everton, however, has a tough task ahead as they have won just one of their last 19 league meetings with Manchester City, who have won in their last five visits to Goodison Park. Everton’s coach, Sean Dyche, has also lost 11 of his last 12 against the opponent. Despite this, the hosts can take confidence from their 1-1 draw against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium back in December.
It’s not all rosy for Everton this season, as there are lingering fears of relegation from the Premier League. Reports suggest that Iwobi is one of six players that the club could sell for £250m if they are relegated. The others are Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dwight McNeil, Jordan Pickford, Amadou Onana and Abdoulaye Doucoure, who could leave even if Everton activates a one-year extension on his contract. However, if made available for sale, Iwobi is likely to attract a lot of attention.
Everton is currently in 17th place in the Premier League and just two points above the relegation zone. Relegation could see the club lose an estimated £100m in revenue.
