Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him > 자유게시판

Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually assisted his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.

'My dad's in the 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 thought let's do something different that no one else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment but 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 firmly insists that he's always had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has only expressed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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 improvement

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his debut under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out 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 home town, where everything will be totally free in a regional supermarket.

'You understand what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an extreme video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.

'In your home I was raised in, my father naturally simply provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just ideal with the influence I have that I offer back too.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has 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 desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everyone to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically 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 hesitate when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. 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 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 very first Premier League to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been involved in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it's my finest start to the season - I just need to keep it going and make certain it's my best season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who offers you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap".

It's likewise a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.

'I don't 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 said it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't understand what was said but he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the group - even individuals who don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but 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 take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely assisting us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a lot of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on in 2023

Iwobi will have his work eliminated as Fulham take on 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another bit of free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really nice. It's like one huge 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 was complete of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the capability to complete with anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the 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