Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has helped his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season so far.
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'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
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'My father's in the house and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't desire to suffice off so I believed let's do something different that no one else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My it now so I'm simple.'
It's a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has actually just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.
'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch enhancement
It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his launching under Arsene Wenger
This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and on Sunday, he will be back in London feeding 100 households for Christmas as part of Project 17.
For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where everything will be totally free in a regional grocery store.
'You understand what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense video game but whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.
'In your home I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has motivated me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just best with the influence I have that I return too.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a youngster you want to do your best to impress the manager and desire everyone to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.
'You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly plays a part.'
One of those people that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn't think twice when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League so far' and he concurs.
The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have been involved in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it's my best start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who provides you the confidence to do that,' he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".
It's likewise a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season given that 2003-04.
'I do not get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't assist himself, Iwobi exposes.
'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand the first time he didn't comprehend what was stated but he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the group - even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's plan at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely played him at all.
Iwobi would take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has been found after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.
'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.
Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on in 2023
Iwobi will have his work cut out as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly great. It's like one huge family.'
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.
'It shows we have the capability to complete with anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi firmly insists.
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Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.
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Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
connieflanders edited this page 2024-12-22 18:12:06 +01:00