Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.
'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
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'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 thought let's do something different that nobody else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'reveal 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 father's accepted it now so I'm easy.'
It's a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has actually just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.
'It's always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches
The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch improvement
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 free in a regional supermarket.
'You understand 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 stresses.
'In the home I was raised in, my papa naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only right with the influence I have that I return also.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually 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 wish to do your finest to impress the manager and want everybody to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.
'You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it really plays a part.'
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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said 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 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 launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have actually been associated with a lot of goals, a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it's my finest start to the season - I just need to keep it going and make certain it's my best season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as an event 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 considering that 2003-04.
'I do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help himself, Iwobi exposes.
'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. The very 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 understand the first time he didn't comprehend what was said however he took pleasure 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 too,' includes 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has been found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
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'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding which's brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.
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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 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 again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly great. It resembles one big household.'
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the ability to compete with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi firmly insists.
Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders may 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
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