Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has assisted his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.
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'Yeah, that actually plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
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'My father'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 want to cut it off so I believed let's do something various that nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My papa's accepted it now so I'm easy.'
It's a plain 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 just expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.
'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
has 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 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 eliminated as Fulham handle 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 totally free in a local grocery store.
'You know what Liverpool are like - 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 house I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just best with the impact I have that I return too.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently 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 desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.
'You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 be reluctant when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest 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 always had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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 associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it's my best start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who gives you the confidence to do that,' he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune '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 blend of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap".
It's also 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 space 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 very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was just vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand the first time he didn't comprehend what was said however he delighted in 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 very first language 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 camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.
'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding which's brought a lot 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 cut out as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We arranged 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 seem 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 three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another bit of free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually great. It resembles one huge household.'
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi firmly 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 room.
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Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him
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