Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.
'Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
'My dad'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 wish to suffice off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My papa'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 insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has just expressed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.
'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only 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 finest start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch enhancement
It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teen 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 households for Christmas as part of Project 17.
For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his home town, where whatever will be totally free in a local supermarket.
'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense 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 just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's just right with the influence I have that I return also.'
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a youngster you want to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to understand you are fully focused on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.
'You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League up until now' and he concurs.
The 28-year-old will feed 100 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have actually been included in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it's my best start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good 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 launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed 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 do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help himself, Iwobi reveals.
'He is tapping the manager 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 resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated however he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the group - even the people who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's plan 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 barely played him at all.
Iwobi would travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has been discovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.
'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a lot 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 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 again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'
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Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really good. It resembles one huge family.'
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and directly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
'It shows we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi firmly insists.
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Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.
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Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him
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