Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.
'Yeah, that actually plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
'My father's in your house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't desire to suffice off so I believed let's do something different that nobody else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to
'reveal yourself' however 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 simple.'
It's a plain 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 frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has actually only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.
'It's always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just just recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
Alexi Iwobi has 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 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 whatever will be totally free in a regional grocery store.
'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an extreme game but whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally simply provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and provide to
neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's only right with the impact I have that I offer back too.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a child you want to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everyone to know you are fully focused on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.
'You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling confident 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 be reluctant when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League up until now' and he concurs.
The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of sensation 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 launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it's my best start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great 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 tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released 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 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 room but 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 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 know 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 group - even 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 build around the midfielder but he was sacked 4 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.
'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding and that's brought a lot of togetherness, says Iwobi.
Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later in 2023
Iwobi will have his work eliminated 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 seem like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven 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 actually great. It resembles one huge family.'
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.
'It shows we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi firmly 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
