Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.
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'Yeah, that really plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
'My father'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 wish to suffice off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the minute however 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 always had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has actually only expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.
'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
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 enhancement
It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 households 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 local supermarket.
'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense video game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.
'In the home I was raised in, my papa naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has inspired me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just ideal with the impact I have that I give back also.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes 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 two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a youngster you want to do your finest to impress the manager and want everyone to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.
'You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 think twice when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said 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 constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the 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 actually been included in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it's my finest start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and ensure it's my best season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who gives you the confidence to do that,' he states.
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Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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 explained as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined with Rap".
It's likewise a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.
'I don't get it on in the dressing room 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 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 said but he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the team - even the individuals who don't speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's plan at Everton was to construct around the midfielder but 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 again. Now that pleasure has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.
'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal 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), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little bit of free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly great. It's like one big household.'
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 plenty of credit for Fulham.
'It shows we have the capability to contend with anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi 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 Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
betseyjoiner27 edited this page 2024-12-23 02:32:47 +09:00