Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually assisted his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.
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'Yeah, that actually plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
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'My father's in your house 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 nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My papa'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 firmly insists that he's always had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has only expressed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.
'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not just 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 contributed to his on-pitch improvement
It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teen 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 home town, where whatever will be totally free in a regional supermarket.
'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an intense game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In the home I was raised in, my dad naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's only right with the influence I have that I return as well.'
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 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind Forest.
'As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.
'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' and he concurs.
The 28-year-old will feed 100 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the mindset 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 associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it's my finest start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who offers you the confidence to do that,' he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching 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 mixed 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 because 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 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 was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated but he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the team - even individuals who don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.
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 hardly 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 once again. Now that pleasure has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.
'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We've 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 trip 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 prepared 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 bit of totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It's like one huge family.'
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 game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the ability to contend with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very 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.
FulhamAlex Iwobi
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Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him
archiev7919085 edited this page 2024-12-23 01:45:48 +08:00