yohaigng-news

bet9ja.com
Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.

'My father'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 different 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 but I like it. My daddy'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 only revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal 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 states his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch enhancement

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his launching 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 households for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where whatever will be free in a regional grocery store.

'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an extreme game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.

'In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally simply gave back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually motivated me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just best with the impact I have that I offer back as well.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you wish to do your best to impress the manager and desire everybody to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly plays a part.'

One of those individuals 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was season in the Premier League up until now' and he agrees.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of sensation 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 involved in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it's my finest start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who offers you the confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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?' which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended 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 don't get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the manager 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 was like 'yes it's Alex!' He stated it wasn't bad. I know the first time he didn't comprehend what was said but he took pleasure in 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 do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We have actually been having team 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 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 eat. We arranged a trip 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is arranged 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 totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly great. It's like one huge household.'

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and directly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the capability to compete with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi firmly insists.
bet9ja.com
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
bet9ja.com