Everton boss Frank Lampard is delighted with the form of Alex Iwobi.

On Friday, Lampard said he was delighted Iwobi was getting the recognition he deserved for his progress.

Asked what he knew of Iwobi when he was appointed as Everton's manager - and whether he expected for such quality to emerge from the Nigeria international, he said: "I didn't have a big view on him as such [when Lampard arrived at Everton].

"I think from the outside... I was very aware of him coming through because my staff had been at the Chelsea academy for years and Alex was at the Arsenal academy. We spoke about every player and their feeling having gone up against Alex as a kid was that he was an immensely talented player so there would be something there for us.

"At the time I came in I probably presumed it would probably be as a winger and [he would] do a job for us there and I then just wanted to stay open and see what he showed us in training. There has been a huge development and I am asked a lot about my input in it and so much is down to Alex himself.

"It is clear to say that only players and players themselves can make the strides Alex has made, but not many make the strides he has made in the right way. My job is to support him, give him confidence, put him in the right structure, in the right team and the rest is down to him. Whatever view when I came in is not important but now I have a huge respect for him and love working with him."