Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually helped his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.
'Yeah, that actually plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
'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 wish to cut it off so I thought let's do something different that no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My papa'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 insists that he's always had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football however has just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.
'It's always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
Alexi Iwobi has actually made his best start to a Premier League season with five objectives in 15 matches
The 28
-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch enhancement
It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his launching under Arsene Wenger
This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated as Fulham take on 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 everything will be totally free in a local supermarket.
'You understand what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an extreme video game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi
tensions.
'In the home I was raised in, my dad naturally just provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel 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 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 wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everybody to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being totally free and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.
'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on
Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' and he concurs.
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 feeling like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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?'
'I have been included in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it's my best start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who gives you the confidence to do that,' he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".
It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season considering 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 assist 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 stated it wasn't bad. I understand the first time he didn't comprehend what was stated however he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the team - even individuals who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's plan at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly played him at all.
Iwobi would take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.
'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having team 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 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), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem 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 wants to take us out. That's another little bit of complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It resembles one huge household.'
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and directly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola was full of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' 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
