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 finest start to a Premier League season up until now.
'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
'My papa's in the house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't desire to suffice off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I literally told the hairdresser to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My dad'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 insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has actually 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 just just recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
Alexi Iwobi has actually made his best start to a Premier League season with five objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch enhancement
It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut under Arsene Wenger
This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out 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 complimentary in a regional supermarket.
'You understand what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an extreme video game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
bit.ly
'In your home I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only right with the impact I have that I return also.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks 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 just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.
'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly plays a part.'
One of those individuals that backs him is Marco Silva, who 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 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 insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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 included in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it's my finest start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who provides you the confidence to do that,' he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the 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 referred to as a celebration 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 best start to a top-flight season given that 2003-04.
'I do not get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi exposes.
'He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. 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 know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said however he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.
bet9ja.com
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the group - even the people who don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' adds 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 hardly played him at all.
Iwobi would take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely assisting us this season. We have actually been having team 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 in 2023
Iwobi will have his work cut out as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned 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 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another little complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually nice. It resembles one huge 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 was full of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the ability to compete with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi 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.
FulhamAlex Iwobi
bit.ly
1
Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him
ingridtuckett8 edited this page 2024-12-22 18:15:09 +00:00