Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season so far.
'Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
'My father'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 want to cut it 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 minute but I like it. My papa's accepted it now so I'm easy.'
It's a stark 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 frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching 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've been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
Alexi Iwobi has 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 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 eliminated as Fulham handle 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 totally free in a local supermarket.
'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an extreme 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 father naturally simply gave back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has motivated me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it's only best with the influence I have that I return as well.'
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.
'You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly plays a part.'
Among those people 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 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 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the state 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 debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched 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 could state it's my best start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and ensure it's my best season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a Luv?' which is explained as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined with Rap".
It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season considering that 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 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 said it wasn't bad. I understand the very 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 individuals who don't speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' adds Iwobi.
Silva's plan 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 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 joy has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.
bit.ly
'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly helping us this season. We have actually been having team 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 on in 2023
bit.ly
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 consume. We arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back 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 arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 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 grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really great. It resembles 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 shows we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi insists.
bet9ja.com
Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.
FulhamAlex Iwobi
1
Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
lorenacxf04259 edited this page 2024-12-22 17:02:05 +00:00