Marco Silva has stated that he will hold out on deciding what role Alex Iwobi will play against Watford until Friday, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
The former Arsenal winger only began training with the Blues on Monday following his £34million Deadline Day transfer, and played no part in the Gunners’ pre-season schedule due to his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.
Iwobi played in each of the Super Eagles’ seven AFCON ties on route to clinching third place in the Play-Off in July, while also netting the winner in the Round of 16 clash with Cameroon.
Silva is unsure whether the 6ft wide man will be ready to face the Hornets at the weekend, though, so he wants to cast his judgment on the 23-year-old’s condition at the last possible moment.
At present, the boss expects there to be a ‘big gap’ for Iwobi to close before he makes his decision, as the 36-cap international will be looking to rival players who have already taken to the field in the Premier League for a spot in the eleven that lines up at home to the Vicarage Road natives.
“He will start to work with us on Monday,” the boss noted. “He was on holiday after the Africa Cup.
“He starts on Monday, and let’s see how he reacts, but there is a big gap between him and his teammates, the physical condition will be a big gap, but let’s see.
“Normally, my decisions are coming from the training sessions, and let’s see how he will play, how he will do in the training sessions and after that I will take my decision on Friday.”