yohaig

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 finest start to a Premier League season so far.
bet9ja.com
'Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
bit.ly
'My father's in your home and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't want to suffice 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 due to the fact that 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 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, releasing singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply 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 contributed to his on-pitch improvement

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 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 hometown, where everything will be complimentary in a regional grocery store.

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

'In the house I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply gave back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just ideal with the impact I have that I give back as well.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his 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 simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you want to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to know you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually plays a part.'

One of 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' 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 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 release 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 lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it's my best start to the season - I just need to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who offers you the confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described 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 don't get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand the first time he didn't comprehend what was stated but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's plan 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 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 relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding which'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 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), returned then went 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 three games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little bit of totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly good. It's like one big family.'

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and directly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the capability to contend with anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi
bit.ly