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 finest start to a Premier League season so far.
'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
'My daddy'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 wish to cut it off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My daddy's accepted it now so I'm simple.'
It's a stark 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 mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football but has just expressed himself more in recent years, 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 just recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with five objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually contributed to his on-pitch enhancement
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It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut under Arsene Wenger
This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out as Fulham handle 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 home town, where everything will be totally free in a local grocery store.
'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an intense video game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi .
'In the home I was raised in, my papa naturally simply gave back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually influenced me to give to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just ideal with the impact I have that I provide back too.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes 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 simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a youngster you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.
'You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost 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 hesitate when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against 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 state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football
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 launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have been involved in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it's my best start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".
It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their finest 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 exposes.
'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. 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 very first time he didn't understand what was said however he delighted 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 very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' adds Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly 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 again. Now that pleasure has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.
'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.
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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 handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'
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Another team meal is arranged 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 grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually great. It's like one huge household.'
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal last week and directly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi 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 Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him
lillianau1123 edited this page 2024-12-31 11:23:36 +00:00