Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.
'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
'My dad's in your house and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't desire to suffice off so I believed let's do something various that no one else has. I literally told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My dad'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 constantly had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football but has just revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.
'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with five objectives 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 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 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 complimentary in a regional supermarket.
'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.
'In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally just gave back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually motivated me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just best with the influence I have that I return too.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret 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 wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.
'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it really plays a part.'
Among those people 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 last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated 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 frame of mind of sensation 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 in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it's my best start to the season - I just have to keep it going and ensure it's my best season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who offers you the confidence to do that,' he says.
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Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap".
It's likewise a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.
'I do not get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't assist himself, Iwobi reveals.
'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The very 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 said it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't understand what was stated however he enjoyed 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 don't speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' adds Iwobi.
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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 barely played him at all.
Iwobi would travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that joy has been found after his ₤ 22M move last year.
'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly 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 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 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 feel like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. It resembles one huge family.'
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But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal last week 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 take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' 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.
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Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
dellarreguin63 edited this page 2024-12-22 18:43:45 +02:00