Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually helped his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.
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'Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
'My dad's in your home and he's probably 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 various that nobody else has. I literally told the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My daddy's accepted it now so I'm simple.'
It's a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.
'It's always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch enhancement
It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut under Arsene Wenger
This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated as Fulham handle 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.
For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his home town, where everything will be totally free in a local grocery store.
'You understand what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an extreme game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.
'In your home I was raised in, my father naturally just gave back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just best with the impact I have that I give back as well.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a youngster you want to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.
'You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly 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 opportunity 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 so far' and he agrees.
The 28-year-old will feed 100 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
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'I have actually been involved in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it's my best start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who provides you the confidence to do that,' he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".
It's likewise a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.
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'I do not get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi reveals.
'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 know the very first time he didn't understand what was said but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the group - even the individuals who do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has been found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a lot of togetherness, says 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 handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We arranged 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really nice. It resembles one huge household.'
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and directly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.
'It shows we have the ability to compete with anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi insists.
Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.
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Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him
aliceedmunds55 edited this page 2024-12-23 00:26:25 +08:00