bet9ja.com
Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season so far.
bit.ly
'Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
'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 suffice off so I thought let's do something different that nobody else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the minute 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 debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing 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 individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches
The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually contributed to his on-pitch improvement
It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teen 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 home town, where everything will be free in a local grocery store.
'You understand what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense game but whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In the house I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has motivated me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's only best with the impact I have that I give back as well.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently 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 youngster you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.
'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really plays a part.'
Among those people 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best 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 always had the state of mind of 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 involved in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it's my finest start to the season - I just have to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who gives you the confidence to do that,' he says.
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 released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined 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 since 2003-04.
'I don't get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply 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 simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't understand what was said however he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the group - even the individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however he was sacked four 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.
'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We've been having group 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 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 journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once 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 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another bit of free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually great. It's like one huge household.'
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and directly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi insists.
bit.ly
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
1
Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
joellenbolt883 edited this page 2024-12-23 01:12:47 +08:00