Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually helped his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season so far.
'Yeah, that really plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
'My papa'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 want to cut it off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'express 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 easy.'
It's a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has actually just expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and releasing his charitable foundation, 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've been expressing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with five objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch improvement
It's a plain 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 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 whatever will be free in a regional grocery store.
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'You understand what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an intense video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In your home I was raised in, my papa naturally just gave back. 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 father are has actually inspired me to give to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only best with the influence I have that I return as well.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
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'As a child you want to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being complimentary 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 confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals 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 be when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, 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 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
Iwobi insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have actually been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state 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 objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who provides you the self-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 launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap".
It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.
'I don't 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 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 stated it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't understand what was stated but he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the group - even the individuals who do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder but 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has actually been found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
'Everyone's mindset 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, states Iwobi.
Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on in 2023
Iwobi will have his work eliminated 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 seem like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another team meal is organised 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 totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly good. It resembles one huge household.'
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and directly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the 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 room.
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Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
eric74n210786 edited this page 2024-12-22 11:57:29 -05:00