Fulham's £22m deal for 'very good player' left manager disappointed, he wanted to keep Cottagers star

If he had his way, Marco Silva’s opposite number would have one of Fulham’s most in-form players in his own squad ahead of Saturday’s late Premier League kick-off.

Fulham and Everton have shared more players than most.

The likes of John Heitinga, Andy Johnson, Tomasz Radzinski, Louis Saha and a certain Europa League winner – ex-Everton winger Ademola Lookman has been nominated for the Ballon D’Or after shining at Atalanta – have all represented both The Toffees and The Cottagers over the last two decades.

And, when completing a £22 million deal during the summer of 2023, Alex Iwobi found himself following the same well-travelled path of Lookman and co.

Sean Dyche, the man in the Everton dugout ahead of Saturday’s hosting of Fulham, accepts that – in an ideal world – Iwobi would be wearing blue rather than white.

But with Everton’s financial issues dictating much of their transfer market activity, an eight-figure sum was simply too good to turn down when the team from West London offered Iwobi a return to the capital.

Sean Dyche wanted to keep Fulham’s Alex Iwobi at Everton

“[Selling Alex Iwobi to Fulham] was a very good deal for the club,” Dyche admits, speaking at his pre-match press conference.

“I thought he was an excellent servant, certainly in my time here. I enjoyed having him around the place. He was a joy to work with. A very good player, in my opinion.

“[Iwobi was] not one I wanted to lose but needs must at that time. It was a good fee for a good player.

Starting every one of Fulham’s Premier League matches in 2024/25, Iwobi is almost certain to be part of The Cottagers’ XI as Silva himself makes own his return to the blue side of Stanley Park.

The Arsenal academy graduate has already scored nearly as many goals for Fulham [seven] as he managed in four years at Everton [nine].

Ahead of Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Silva’s team at the start of October, Pep Guardiola spoke glowingly about the development of Alex Iwobi at Fulham. A player who, he feels, is currently producing the best football of his career.

“They have a lot of weapons and speed,” Guardiola said. “Iwobi, I have never seen him in the form that he is playing.”

Dyche hails Fulham signings ahead of Goodison Park meeting

Silva worked with the 28-year-old during his time in the Goodison Park dugout. And, after reuniting with Iwobi at Fulham, the former Olympiakos and Sporting Lisbon boss has the versatile midfielder blossoming wide on the left-hand side.

Iwobi has struck up an impressive understanding with Emile Smith Rowe, while forming half of arguably the Premier League’s most under-rated partnership alongside rampaging left-back Antonee Robinson.

“I think they’ve done well. Very well” adds Dyche, who’s Everton side can actually draw level with Fulham on Saturday evening following a change in form for both teams in recent weeks.

“They have collected a group of players, they have spent money. But it seems to me that they have spent wisely for the most part.Certainly from the outside looking in.

“I think they’ve got a style where they they they can be progressive. They want to take on the opposition. Also, they can have flat days when it goes against them.

“So, we’ve got to make sure that we impact the game in that manner to make them have a flat day.”