Alex Iwobi Targets Premier League Monthly Award to Match Uncle Okocha’s Legacy

Alex Iwobi is setting his sights on winning the Premier League Player of the Month award, an honour famously claimed by his uncle, Jay-Jay Okocha, over two decades ago.

More than 22 years after Okocha’s triumph at Bolton Wanderers, Iwobi is now in contention for the same accolade following an impressive run of form with Fulham FC.

The Nigeria international is among seven nominees for the March award, alongside Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), James Garner (Everton FC), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), David Raya (Arsenal FC), and Danny Welbeck (Brighton & Hove Albion).

If successful, Iwobi would become the fifth Nigerian to win the award, joining Okocha, Peter Odemwingie, Odion Ighalo, and Kelechi Iheanacho.

Iwobi featured in all four of Fulham’s matches this month, playing a key role in victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley FC.

He also found the net with a stunning effort against Tottenham, a strike now shortlisted for the Goal of the Month award. The former Arsenal man produced a composed instep finish from outside the box, showcasing his technical quality.

The Goal of the Month shortlist includes Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson, William Osula, Bernardo Silva, Iliman Ndiaye, and John McGinn.

Interestingly, former Fulham defender and Iwobi’s childhood friend, Ola Aina, remains the only Nigeria-eligible player to have won the Premier League Goal of the Month award, achieving the feat in November 2020 with a superb strike against West Bromwich Albion.