
Yohaig Naija
FollowOverview
-
Sectors Buildings
-
Posted Jobs 0
-
Viewed 6
Company Description
Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him
Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually helped his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.
‘Yeah, that actually plays a part (in expressing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder states.
‘My father’s in the home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t desire to cut it off so I believed let’s do something various that no one else has. I literally told the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since 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 plain 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 feeling like there’s more to life than football but has only revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.
‘It’s constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show people 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 5 objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have added to his 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 eliminated as Fulham take on 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 hometown, where everything will be free in a local supermarket.
‘You understand what Liverpool are like – 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 your house I was raised in, my papa naturally just returned. 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 papa are has motivated me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s just right with the impact I have that I return too.’
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret 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 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
‘As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.
‘You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly 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 so far’ and he concurs.
The 28-year-old will feed 100 households 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 became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’
‘I have been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it’s my best start to the season – I just have to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the aim’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a manager who offers you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.
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?’ which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend 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 because 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 help himself, Iwobi exposes.
‘He is tapping the supervisor 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 resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t understand what was said however he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.
‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having excellent feedback from the team – even the people 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has been discovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.
‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly helping us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.
Marco Silva initially 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 eat. We organised a journey 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.’
Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another little bit of totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually great. It resembles one big household.’
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.
‘It shows we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the 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 space.
FulhamAlex Iwobi