Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has helped his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season so far.
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'Yeah, that really plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
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'My father's in the 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 various that nobody else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My papa'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 insists that he's always had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football but has just revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.
'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only just recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not just 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 added to his on-pitch enhancement
It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teen who made his launching 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 whatever will be complimentary in a local supermarket.
'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an extreme game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally just gave back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually motivated me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's only best with the impact I have that I offer back also.'
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret 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 simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a youngster you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.
'You have to be strong psychologically. Players when they're confident and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly 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 think twice when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best 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 firmly insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of sensation 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 song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have been associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it's my finest start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who offers you the confidence to do that,' he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing blended 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 just can't help himself, Iwobi exposes.
'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. 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 understand the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said however 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 people who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' 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 hardly played him at all.
Iwobi would travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has been found after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.
'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 group meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, says Iwobi.
Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later in 2023
Iwobi will have his work cut out as Fulham handle 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 feel like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another group meal is arranged 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 complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It resembles one big household.'
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and directly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.
'It shows we have the capability to contend with anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi insists.
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Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.
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Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
budlockhart68 edited this page 2024-12-23 01:51:10 +08:00