Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him

Alex Iwobi is speaking 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 up until now.

‘Yeah, that actually plays a part (in revealing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder says.

‘My daddy’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 want to suffice off so I thought let’s do something various that no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My father’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 firmly insists that he’s always had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has actually only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

Alexi Iwobi has actually 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 actually added to his on-pitch improvement

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 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 everything will be complimentary in a local supermarket.

‘You understand what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an extreme 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 people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would just 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 fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just right with the influence I have that I return also.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick 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 two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly 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 be reluctant when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus 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 mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and I have been working well. You might state it’s my finest start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ states 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 states.

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?’ 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 space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

‘I don’t get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can’t help 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 simply vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin was like ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t understand what was said however 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 individuals who don’t speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to build 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 take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a lot of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on 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), came back 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 organised 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 bit of free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually great. It’s like one big household.’

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having 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 ability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi