Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has helped his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.
'Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
'My papa's in your home and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I
coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't want to cut it off so I believed let's do something different that nobody else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' however 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 easy.'
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 state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually only expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.
'It's always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only 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 states.
Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have 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 eliminated as Fulham take on 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 totally free in a regional supermarket.
'You understand what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.
'In your home I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only ideal with the influence I have that I return as well.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already 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 want to do your best to impress the manager and want everyone to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.
'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best 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 sensation like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi became 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?'
'I have actually been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it's my best start to the
season - I just need to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who gives 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 debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched 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 room, with Fulham making their finest 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 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 just vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said however 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 mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' adds Iwobi.
Silva's strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder however 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has actually been uncovered 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 and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, states 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 handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned 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 video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires 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 huge household.'
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
'It shows we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi 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
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