Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season so far.
'Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
'My papa's in your 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 informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My dad'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 insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football but has actually just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.
'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
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 added to his on-pitch enhancement
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 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 whatever will be complimentary in a regional supermarket.
'You understand what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.
'In your home I was raised in, my papa naturally just gave back. 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 daddy are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just right with the influence I have that I return also.'
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success 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 just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a youngster you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.
'You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually 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 think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, 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 insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a Luv?'
'I have actually been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it's my best start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who gives you the confidence to do that,' he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described 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 do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi reveals.
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'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The 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 know 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 the people who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to build 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
'Everyone's state of mind 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, says Iwobi.
Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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 eat. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little bit of complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really great. It resembles one huge family.'
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 game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.
'It shows we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi firmly insists.
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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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