Alex Iwobi risks trouble with manager after cryptic social media post about his playing position

– Alex Iwobi will have a one-on-one talk with Carlo Ancelotti before leaving for international duty

– The 24-year-old posted a message to Nigerian coach Gernot Rohr on being played on his preferred position

– Ancelotti’s reaction to Iwobi’s social media post was sad ahead of Everton’s game against Burnley

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Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has responded to ALex Iwobi’s claims about being played out of position under his tutelage.

Iwobi will have words with Ancelotti regarding his social media post. Photo by Paul EllisSource: UGC

The Nigerian international was called up into the national team by Gernot Rohr and he took to Instagram and said:

“Always an honour to get called up for my national team, hopefully I get to play in my preferred position.”

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That message did not go down well with the Italian manager as he claimed that the 24-year-old never approached him about being unforcomfortable with his role with the Toffees.

The former Arsenal star has been played as wing-back and on the left side of midfield and Ancelotti responded.

Ancelotti was quoted by Daily Mail on his pre-match conference briefing ahead of the Burnley game:

“I didn’t speak to him but I read the post he did.

“I want to speak, of course. I want to know his preferred position! Usually I want to put a player on the pitch where they are comfortable to play, not where they are uncomfortable.

“If he has an idea of where he prefers to play I have to know – I want to know! I am delighted to know his preferred position and I’ll put him in his preferred position for sure, no doubt. I have to tell him: “Tell me! I am your manager, tell me where you want to play!”

“When I thought to put (Andrea) Pirlo as a holding midfielder I asked him “Do you like to play there or not?” “Yes,” he said to me. “I’d love to play there!” So I put him there. If he (Iwobi) wants to play number 10 or number nine I’ll put him there, no problem. I can adapt the system.”

Iwobi has been in an out of Ancelotti’s squad in recent months but finds himself as an integral part of the team.

Ancelotti has however been playing a 4-4-2 formation in recent weeks, which has relegated Iwobi deep into the right wing in a midfield role.

Notably, attacking duties are mostly left to the likes of Dominic Calvert Lewin and Richarlison.

Iwobi expressed delight after he was named in coach Gernot Rohr’s for 24-man squad Nigeria’s AFCON 2021 qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho this month.

The Super Eagles face off with the Squirrels in Porto Novo on March 27 and return to the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos for their final qualification game against Lesotho on March 30.

Iwobi while expressing appreciation for the call-up also suggested that the manager has been fielding him out of position and added that he would be glad to be played in his preferred wing.

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Rene Otinga is a TUKO.co.ke journalist with over five years’ experience in the digital media space and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya. An ardent fan of Manchester United, Otinga is a Sports Editor at TUKO.co.ke and his writing mainly revolves around the world of football and lifestyle in the sporting world. He is inspired by the need to inform and entertain through compelling stories.

Source: Tuko Breaking News