Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season so far.
'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
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'My father's in the house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I 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 told the hairdresser to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My father'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 always had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has only expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing 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 actually made his best start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch improvement
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 eliminated 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.
For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where whatever will be complimentary in a local supermarket.
'You understand what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.
'In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally just returned. To people 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 daddy are has actually motivated me to give to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it's only ideal with the impact I have that I offer back too.'
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 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a youngster you wish to do your best to impress the manager and want everybody to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.
'You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 stated it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League so far' 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 mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have been associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it's my best start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a manager who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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 a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined 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 don't get it on in the dressing space but 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 tune. The first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said but he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the team - even individuals who don't speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' adds Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely played him at all.
Iwobi would travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.
'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We have actually been having group 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 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 consume. 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 seem like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven 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 nice. It resembles one huge family.'
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola was complete 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 against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi 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 Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him
siobhanhuntley edited this page 2024-12-22 17:53:19 +00:00