Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.
'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
'My dad'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 wish to cut it off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My daddy's accepted it now so I'm simple.'
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 mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually only revealed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.
'It's always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
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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 improvement
It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his debut under Arsene Wenger
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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 totally free in a regional supermarket.
'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an extreme game but whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.
'In the home I was raised in, my daddy naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just right with the impact I have that I offer back as well.'
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more objectives 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 child you wish to do your best to impress the manager and want everyone to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.
'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling positive to reveal 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 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus 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 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football
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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 launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have actually been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it's my best start to the I just need to keep it going and make certain it's my best season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who offers you the self-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 an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".
It's likewise a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season given that 2003-04.
'I don't get it on in the dressing space however 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 know the very first time he didn't understand what was said but he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the group - even the people who don't speak English as their very first language 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 hardly 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 once again. Now that joy has actually been found after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.
'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding which's brought a great deal 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 handle 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 once 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 organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another bit of complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. It's like one big household.'
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and directly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi firmly insists.
Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders might 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 Actually Helped Him
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