A former Super Eagles defender, Sam Sodje, on Tuesday said that the trait that has made Alex Iwobi a favourite among the managers he has worked under during his time in England is tactical discipline rather than just natural talent.

In an interview with Footy Africa, Sodje stated that Iwobi’s willingness to play inside a system and adhere to instructions exactly was the distinguishing quality that had elevated him above what his natural talent alone may have accomplished.

“Iwobi has always been a player that plays to a structure, and I think that is why he has got so many managers that really like him,” Sodje said.

“His ability alone is not what is getting him where he is. I think his discipline of how to play to a system has made him the player he has become.”

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The former Brentford centre-back also reflected on Iwobi’s development into a senior Super Eagles figure, saying the midfielder’s longevity in English football had shaped him into one of Nigeria’s most reliable internationals.

“I think he has improved so much because of the career he has had in England. I know how tough it is; we have to give him a lot of respect.

“He grew up in our face, and it is scary to say he will be 30, but he has come to be a very experienced and important player for the national team,” he said.

Iwobi, who turned thirty on Sunday, is now out due to a hamstring injury he suffered during Fulham’s goalless draw with Brentford. Samuel Chukwueze took his place during the match.

Although he ruled the midfield player out of the team’s match against Aston Villa, Fulham manager Marco Silva expressed his continued optimism that the player would return before the end of the season.