Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually helped his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.
'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
'My dad'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 wish to suffice off so I believed let's do something various that nobody else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My papa's accepted it now so I'm easy.'
It's a plain contrast from the 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi insists that he's always had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.
'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
Alexi Iwobi has actually made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches
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The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch improvement
It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teen who made his launching under Arsene Wenger
This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated as Fulham take on 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 home town, where whatever will be complimentary in a regional grocery store.
'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an intense game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In your home I was raised in, my daddy naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just best with the influence I have that I offer back also.'
Through these initiatives 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 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.
'You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually 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 hesitate when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' and he agrees.
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The 28-year-old will feed 100 families 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 launch a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released 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 could say it's my best start to the season - 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 giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a manager who provides you the confidence to do that,' he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became 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?' which is referred to as a celebration 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 space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season given that 2003-04.
'I do not get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't assist himself, Iwobi exposes.
'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. The 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 understand the first time he didn't understand what was said however he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the team - even the people 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 build 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 again. Now that pleasure has been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.
'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which's brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.
Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on in 2023
Iwobi will have his work eliminated as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another bit of complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really nice. It resembles one huge family.'
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 reveals we have the ability to complete with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi insists.
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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 Actually Helped Him
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