Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually helped his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season so far.
'Yeah, that really plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
'My dad's in your home and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't want to cut it off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My papa's accepted 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 insists that he's always had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has actually only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.
'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to show that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
Alexi Iwobi has actually 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 added to his on-pitch enhancement
It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teen 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 families for Christmas as part of Project 17.
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For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where whatever will be totally free in a local supermarket.
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'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In the house I was raised in, my dad naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has influenced me to provide 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 also.'
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a child you desire to do your best to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.
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'You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to express 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 individuals that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn't be reluctant when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League up until now' and he agrees.
The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it's my finest start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined with Rap".
It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.
'I don't get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help himself, Iwobi reveals.
'He is tapping the manager to listen to the song. The first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was just vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He stated it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated however he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the team - even the people who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' adds Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder however he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly played him at all.
Iwobi would take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has been found after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.
'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a lot of togetherness, says Iwobi.
Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later in 2023
Iwobi will have his work eliminated as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. 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 seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really nice. It's like one big household.'
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and directly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.
'It shows we have the ability to complete with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi firmly insists.
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 Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
tinabeebe20592 edited this page 2024-12-25 12:44:18 +01:00