Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has 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 states.
'My dad's in your house and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't wish to
suffice off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I actually informed 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 plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.
'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just just recently that I've been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually 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 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 whatever will be complimentary in a local grocery store.
'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an intense video game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In your home I was raised in, my father naturally simply gave back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually motivated me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just ideal with the impact I have that I return too.'
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and want everyone to know you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.
'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 almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest 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 insists that he's constantly had the mindset 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 released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have been associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it's my finest start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who offers you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.
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?' which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".
It's likewise 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 however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi exposes.
'He is tapping the supervisor 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 stated it wasn't bad. I know 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 excellent feedback from the team - even the individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder however 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 across 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 uncovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.
'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding which's brought a great deal of togetherness, says 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 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 prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little bit of complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually nice. It's like one big family.'
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the ability to complete with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' 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 space.
FulhamAlex Iwobi
