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 views as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.
'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
'My papa'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 want to suffice off so I thought let's do something different that nobody else has. I actually told the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My father'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 however has actually just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.
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'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 states.
Alexi Iwobi has actually made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch improvement
It's a stark 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 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 everything will be totally free in a local grocery store.
'You understand what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an intense video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.
'In your house I was raised in, my simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just ideal with the impact I have that I give back as well.'
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 5 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 everybody to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.
'You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really plays a part.'
Among 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 last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League so far' 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 always had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release 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 goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it's my finest 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 giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who offers you the confidence to do that,' he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching song '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 mixed 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 since 2003-04.
'I do not get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi exposes.
'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 resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He stated it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't understand what was said however he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the team - even individuals who don't speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' adds Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder but 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.
'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding which's brought a great deal of togetherness, says Iwobi.
Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later in 2023
Iwobi will have his work cut out as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'
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Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another bit of free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really good. It resembles one big family.'
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi insists.
Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.
FulhamAlex Iwobi
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Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
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