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Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.
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'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
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'My daddy's in your home and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't wish to cut it off so I thought let's do something different that no one else has. I literally told the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the moment but 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 debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football but has actually only revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.
'It's always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only recently that I have actually 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 made his finest start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches
The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch improvement
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 hometown, where everything will be complimentary in a regional supermarket.
'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, stresses.
'In your home I was raised in, my papa naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually motivated me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just ideal with the influence I have that I return too.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret 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 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a child you want to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being complimentary and not being pushed 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 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 actually 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best 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 state 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 tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have been associated with a lot 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 have to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who offers you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as an event of his African roots with a mix 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 because 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 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 simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the first time he didn't understand what was said but he delighted in 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 4 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 once again. Now that delight has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
'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 and that'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 cut out as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We organised a trip 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another bit of 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 taken points from Arsenal last week and directly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
'It shows we have the ability to complete with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi insists.
Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders might 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
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