Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.
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'Yeah, that actually plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
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'My papa's in your house 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 no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' however 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 debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has actually only expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs 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 only recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
Alexi Iwobi has 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 enhancement
It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teen who made his launching 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 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 totally free in a regional supermarket.
'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually inspired me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only ideal with the impact I have that I give back too.'
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more objectives than in any other season, with five 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 best to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are fully focused on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.
'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest 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 insists that he's constantly had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have been included in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it's my finest start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and ensure it's my . That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut 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 blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".
It's likewise 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 just can't help himself, Iwobi reveals.
'He is tapping the manager 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 was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the group - even the individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's plan at Everton was to construct around the midfielder but he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly played him at all.
Iwobi would travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has been discovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.
'Everyone's mindset 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 and that'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 eliminated 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), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another team 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 totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. It resembles one big family.'
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the ability to compete with anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' 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 space.
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Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
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