Alex Iwobi is talking 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 actually plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
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'My daddy's in the home and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't wish to suffice off so I thought let's do something different that nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My papa's accepted it now so I'm simple.'
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It's a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind 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, launching singles and releasing 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 individuals 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 plain contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut 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.
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For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where everything will be totally free in a regional grocery store.
'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an extreme video game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.
'In your house I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would simply of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it's only ideal with the impact 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 goals 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 youngster you want to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.
'You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually plays a part.'
One of 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 stated it was Iwobi's 'best 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 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 ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have been involved in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say 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 objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who offers you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became 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?' which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined with Rap".
It's likewise a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season because 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 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 resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He stated it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't understand what was stated however he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the group - even individuals who don't speak English as their mother tongue 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 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 pleasure has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding which's brought a lot of togetherness, says Iwobi.
Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later in 2023
Iwobi will have his work eliminated 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 seem 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 desires to take us out. That's another little complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly great. It resembles one big household.'
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.
'It shows we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not frightened. 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 might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.
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Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
kassandran6989 edited this page 2024-12-22 17:42:29 +01:00