• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

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

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

'My daddy's in the home and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't wish to cut it off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My dad's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

It's a stark 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 mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football however has only himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only just recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with five 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 teenager 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 local grocery store.

'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense video game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.

'In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally just returned. To individuals 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 father 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 only ideal with the impact I have that I return also.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more objectives than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually plays a part.'

One of 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said 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 frame 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 song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been involved in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it's my finest start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and ensure it's my best season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who offers you the confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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 explained as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season given that 2003-04.

'I don't get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't assist 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 simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He stated it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend 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 mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but he was sacked four 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 camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has been found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, says 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 once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little bit of free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It resembles one big family.'

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 game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the ability to contend with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi