Blood tests confirm Alex Iwobi as Top 3 fastest player at Everton

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has been rated as one of the Top 3 runners at English Premier League club Everton. 

The 26-year-old Nigerian international revealed that blood tests carried out by the club showed that he, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Andros Townsend are the best runners on the team.

The much-improved Iwobi believes that this might be down to going back to play in his natural position at Everton as well as the arrival of Frank Lampard.

In an interview with Liverpool Echo, Iwobi admitted that he does not understand the tests done but he is happy that there is now proof for his teammates when he tells them he can run.

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Iwobi said: "They showed I can be one of the best runners in the team. I don't know the specifics, I don't understand the science, it is something to do with lactate. Doucs [Abdoulaye Doucoure], Andros [Townsend] and I were top.

"I think my teammates knew I had that stamina, especially after the blood tests. Now they are seeing it...'You weren't lying, you can run'. 

The Super Eagles midfielder explained that Lampard allowed him to return to his natural position from Arsenal, explaining that he prefers to get on the ball more and progress it up the pitch to the attacking players.

"It's weird, it's always been there. I have always been able to run like I am now. There is nothing different about my training. I just say the change of position helped me," Iwobi explained.

"It is where I grew up playing, I like to get on the half-turn, get the ball forward. I am always trying to play to the attacking players and make something happen.

Iwobi also explained that experience playing in the midfield position for the Super Eagles of Nigeria helped him, as well as his running ability and work rate.

Iwobi went on further: "When I play infield, I get on the ball more and can take it up the pitch. I told him [Lampard] I'd played there for Arsenal but not had the opportunity at Everton.

"That it's where I am most comfortable and the position I play for my national team. He tried it and it's worked, so far. I felt he was half surprised I could run, he called me a machine.

Iwobi played from start to finish on Sunday, May 1 as Everton picked up a shock 1-0 victory over Lampard's former club Chelsea to keep their survival hopes alive. 

The Merseyside club are battling relegation this season, sitting 18th on the log with 32 points from 33 games. They have one game in hand over Leeds United who are in 17th and have 34 points.