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Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
Alex Iwobi is talking 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 really plays a part (in revealing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder states.
‘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 wish to cut it off so I believed let’s do something different that nobody else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My daddy’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 firmly insists that he’s always had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has actually only expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.
‘It’s constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
Alexi Iwobi has 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 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 everything will be 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 exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.
‘In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad 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 ideal with the impact I have that I offer back as well.’
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more objectives than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
‘As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the and desire everybody to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being totally 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 succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly plays a part.’
Among 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 versus Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League so far’ and he agrees.
The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
Iwobi insists that he’s always had the frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched 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 finest start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make certain it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a manager who provides you the confidence to do that,’ he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as a celebration 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 room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.
‘I do not get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can’t assist himself, Iwobi reveals.
‘He is tapping the supervisor 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 resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t understand what was stated however he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.
‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having good feedback from the team – even the people who don’t speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ 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 hardly 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 again. Now that delight has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.
‘Everyone’s state 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 which’s brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.
Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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 journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we’re prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’
Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually great. It resembles one huge household.’
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.
‘It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the 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 space.
FulhamAlex Iwobi