Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually helped his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.
'Yeah, that really plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
'My father'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 suffice off so I believed let's do something various that no one else has. I literally told the hairdresser to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute but 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 always had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually only revealed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.
'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just recently that I've been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with five goals 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 teenager who made his launching under Arsene Wenger
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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 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 free in a regional supermarket.
'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an extreme game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi .
'In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just right with the influence I have that I return as well.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 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 completely focused on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.
'You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly plays a part.'
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One of those people that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn't be reluctant when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' and he concurs.
The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
Iwobi insists that he's always 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 launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it's my finest start to the season - I just need 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 good to have a manager who offers you the self-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 song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing blended 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 since 2003-04.
'I do not get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't help himself, Iwobi exposes.
'He is tapping the manager 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 stated it wasn't bad. I understand the 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 team - even individuals who don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' adds Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to develop 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 take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.
'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We've been having team 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 in 2023
Iwobi will have his work cut out as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We organised 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another team 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 really great. It resembles one huge household.'
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently 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 complete with anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact 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 room.
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Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
kristeenmcy050 edited this page 2024-12-22 12:41:05 -05:00