Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has helped his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season so far.
'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
'My father's in your house and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't want to suffice off so I believed let's do something different that no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to 'express 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 daddy's accepted it now so I'm simple.'
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 frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually just expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable foundation, 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 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 actually added 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 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 whatever will be totally free in a regional grocery store.
'You understand what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an extreme video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In the home I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just best with the influence I have that I return as well.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's positive, you do not 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 actually plays a part.'
One of those individuals that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn't think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated 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 insists that he's always had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football
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 launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have been involved in a great deal of goals, a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it's my finest start to the season - I just need to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the objective' 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 release a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as a celebration 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 room, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season given that 2003-04.
'I do not get it on in the dressing room but 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 song. The very 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 very first time he didn't understand what was said but he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.
bet9ja.com
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the team - even individuals who do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' adds Iwobi.
bet9ja.com
Silva's strategy 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 barely played him at all.
bet9ja.com
Iwobi would travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.
'Everyone's frame of mind 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 which's brought a lot 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 handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another group meal is arranged 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 little bit of complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. It resembles one big household.'
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 game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the capability to contend with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' 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.
FulhamAlex Iwobi
1
Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
seymourn995819 edited this page 4 weeks ago