Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has helped his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.
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'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
'My father's in your house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't desire to suffice off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My dad's accepted it now so I'm simple.'
It's a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.
'It's always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
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Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches
The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch improvement
It's a plain contrast from the 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 households 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 resemble - it's going to be an extreme video game but whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.
'In your house I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has motivated me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's only right with the impact 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 objectives 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 want to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are totally focused on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it's positive, 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 express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it really plays a part.'
Among those individuals 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 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 up until now' and he agrees.
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 state 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 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 actually been working well. You could say it's my finest start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who gives you the confidence to do that,' he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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?' which is described as an event 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 room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi exposes.
'He is tapping the manager 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 stated it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't understand what was said however he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the team - even individuals who don't speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' adds Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder but 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 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 mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding which's brought a great deal 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), came back 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 group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another little bit of totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It's like one huge household.'
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
'It shows we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very 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 room.
FulhamAlex Iwobi
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Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him
qeiashley53882 edited this page 2024-12-22 17:56:51 +00:00