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 so far.
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'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
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'My dad's in your house and he's probably 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 nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My dad's accepted it now so I'm simple.'
It's a plain 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 actually only revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.
'It's always been my pastime 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 show individuals that I am not simply 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 stark contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his debut under Arsene Wenger
This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated 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 whatever will be free in a regional grocery store.
'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In the home I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only best with the impact I have that I return also.'
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick 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 wish to do your finest to impress the manager and want everyone to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.
'You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals 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 in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' and he agrees.
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 state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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 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 aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering 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 launch a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a blend 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 given 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 assist himself, Iwobi reveals.
'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 understand the first time he didn't comprehend what was said however 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 mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely played him at all.
Iwobi would take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has actually been found 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 group meals and bonding and that's brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.
Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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 once 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 arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another little bit of totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really nice. It's like one huge family.'
But initially, 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 full of credit for Fulham.
'It shows we have the ability to contend with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi insists.
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Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders may 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 Actually Helped Him
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