Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.
'Yeah, that really plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
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'My papa's in your home and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't wish to suffice off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My daddy's accepted it now so I'm simple.'
It's a plain 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 just expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.
'It's always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just recently that I have actually 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 finest start to a Premier League season with five objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch enhancement
It's a plain 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 families for Christmas as part of Project 17.
For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where everything will be complimentary in a regional grocery store.
'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an extreme game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In the home I was raised in, my papa naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would just of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just best with the influence I have that I provide back as well.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick 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 just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are completely focused on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.
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'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League so far' 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 mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have been included in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it's my best start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".
It's likewise a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their finest 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 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 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 excellent feedback from the team - even the individuals who don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' adds Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has actually been uncovered 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 have actually been having team meals and bonding which's brought a great deal 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 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 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another bit of free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually nice. It's like one big family.'
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the capability to compete with anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' 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 room.
FulhamAlex Iwobi
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Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him
ryanpadbury51 edited this page 2024-12-31 18:10:31 +08:00