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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 sees as his best start to a Premier League season so far.
'Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
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'My daddy's in your house 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 different that no one else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My dad'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 constantly had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football but has just revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.
'It's always been my pastime 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 individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually 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 cut out 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 free in a local supermarket.
'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an intense video game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.
'In the house I was raised in, my dad naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually motivated me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only best with the influence I have that I offer back 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 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a youngster you want to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everyone to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.
'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling confident 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.'
One of 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League so far' 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 frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it's my finest start to the season - I just have to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who offers you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song '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 mix of Afro-Swing combined with Rap".
It's also 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 simply can't assist himself, Iwobi exposes.
'He is tapping the manager to listen to the song. The very 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 said it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't understand what was said but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the team - even the individuals who don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's plan at Everton was to build 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 disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.
'Everyone's frame of mind 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 which's brought a great deal 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 handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel 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 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 really good. It's like one huge household.'
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently 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 take on anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi firmly insists.
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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
drusillagarrar edited this page 2024-12-31 18:12:18 +08:00