Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.
'Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
'My daddy's in your house 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 various that nobody else has. I actually told the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My father'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 constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching 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 only just recently that I've been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch enhancement
It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut under Arsene Wenger
This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated 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 whatever will be complimentary in a regional supermarket.
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'You understand what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an extreme video game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In the home I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually inspired 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 influence I have that I offer back also.'
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and want everyone to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.
'You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling positive to myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually 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 be reluctant when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League so far' 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 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 footballer to release a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have actually been associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it's my best start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who gives you the 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 released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to 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 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 said it wasn't bad. I know the first time he didn't understand what was said but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.
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'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the group - even individuals who don't 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 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has been found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding which's brought a great deal 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 cut out as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
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'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), 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 group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three 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 nice. It resembles one huge family.'
But first, 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 game where Pep Guardiola was full of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the capability to complete with anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' 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 space.
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Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him
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