bit.ly
Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season so far.
'Yeah, that actually plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
'My dad's in your house and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't want to suffice off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I literally told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because 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 debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs 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 only recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
Alexi Iwobi has 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 contributed to his on-pitch improvement
It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his launching 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 free in a regional supermarket.
bet9ja.com
'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an extreme video game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In your home I was raised in, my father naturally just provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has motivated me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's only right with the influence I have that I give back also.'
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes 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 simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a youngster you want to do your best to impress the manager and want everyone to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.
'You have 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 nearly 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the 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 always had the state 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 debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have actually been involved in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it's my finest start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who offers you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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?' which is referred to as an event 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 finest start to a top-flight season considering 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 exposes.
'He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was just 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 comprehend what was stated but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the group - even individuals who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to develop 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness 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 absolutely helping us this season. We've 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 eliminated as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back 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 team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really great. It resembles one big household.'
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.
'It shows we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi insists.
bet9ja.com
Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.
FulhamAlex Iwobi
1
Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
clayw259065992 edited this page 2024-12-23 00:29:52 +08:00