For the very high standards he has set over the years, this has been a most underwhelming campaign for Alex Iwobi just as it has been for his club in the Premier League, Everton.
The previous edition of SCORENigeria, Iwobi was ranked 19th.
The 25-year-old forward managed a goal in 30 appearances in the Premier League – five games more than he managed the previous season – as Everton finished outside the bracket for European football next season.
The arrival of several star signings, injuries as well as a blip in form combined to make sure this was not Iwobi’s best season.
Such was the problem that at a time he was converted to a wing back.
Not scoring goals has been the biggest drawback for the former Arsenal ace.
He will score his first and only goal in the Premier League last season in a 2-1 win over Wolves.
His previous Premier League goal was 15 months earlier, incidentally against the same Wolves.
Last season, manager Carlo Ancelotti headed an ambitious project by Everton to get back to top reckoning in England.
Ancelotti has since headed back to Real Madrid and the new boss will be expected to carry on with this drive.
The new season will therefore be very critical for Iwobi at Goodison Park as he has yet to justify the millions ‘The Toffees’ splashed out to sign him from Arsenal.
One consolation this season was that Iwobi has continued to enjoy the full confidence of the Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr.
But for how long can even Rohr continue to insist on Iwobi?
