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Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually helped his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season so far.
'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
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'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 desire to suffice off so I believed let's do something various that no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My papa'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 state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually only expressed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.
'It's always 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 says.
Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with five objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have added 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 take on 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 hometown, where whatever will be totally free in a local supermarket.
'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense video game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In the house I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just right with the influence I have that I return also.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more objectives than in any other season, with 5 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 want everybody to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.
'You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really plays a part.'
Among those individuals that backs him is Marco Silva, who 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 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 firmly insists that he's constantly had the mindset of sensation 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 associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it's my best start to the season - I just need to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who provides you the confidence to do that,' he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined 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 since 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 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 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 enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the group - even the individuals who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however 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 uncovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding which's brought a great deal of togetherness, states 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 arranged a journey 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. It resembles one huge family.'
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and directly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. 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 may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.
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Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
mickeyhardy617 edited this page 2024-12-22 11:39:18 -05:00