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Alex Iwobi is speaking 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 up until now.
'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
'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 different that nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My dad's accepted it now so I'm simple.'
It's a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.
'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just just 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 says.
Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch enhancement
It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his launching 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 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 are like - it's going to be an intense game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In the house I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has influenced me to give to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's only ideal with the influence I have that I return 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 objectives than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a child you want to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to know you are fully focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.
'You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're confident 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 actually plays a part.'
Among 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 in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, 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 constantly had the mindset 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 launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have actually been involved 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 simply need to keep it going and ensure it's my best season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to himself. 'It's nice to have a manager who gives you the confidence to do that,' he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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?' which is explained as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended 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 don't 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 was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't understand what was stated 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 group - even individuals who don't speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' adds Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder but he was sacked four 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 camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that joy has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.
'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding which's brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.
Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on 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 trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went 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 three games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually great. It's like one big household.'
But first, 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 reveals we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the same versus 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 might 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
dakotahughes8 edited this page 2024-12-23 00:41:06 +08:00