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Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually helped his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.
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'Yeah, that really plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
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'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 want to cut it off so I believed let's do something different that no one else has. I literally 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 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 debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.
'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 goals 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 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 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 totally free in a local supermarket.
'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an extreme video game but whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In the home I was raised in, my daddy naturally just offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would just buy of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just ideal with the influence 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 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a youngster you want to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.
'You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' 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 frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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?'
'I have been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it's my best start to the season - I just have to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix 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 do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply 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 just 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.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the group - even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's plan at Everton was to construct around the midfielder but 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has actually been found after his ₤ 22M move last year.
'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's certainly 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 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 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another little bit of complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually great. It's like one huge 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 game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
'It shows we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi insists.
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 Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
utemenge83645 edited this page 2024-12-22 23:33:19 +07:00