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 actually assisted his football in what he views 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 daddy’s in the home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t wish to cut it off so I thought let’s do something various that nobody else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My father’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 firmly insists that he’s always had the frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has only expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only recently that I’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with five objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch 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 whatever will be free in a regional grocery store.

‘You understand what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an extreme video game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.

‘In your home I was raised in, my daddy naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s just ideal with the impact I have that I give back also.’

Through these efforts 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 youngster you want to do your best to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are totally focused on football. But it (liberty) features age, being complimentary and not being pushed about . If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it really 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 in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest 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 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 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 been included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it’s my finest start to the season – I just need to keep it going and make certain it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who provides you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing blended 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 given 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 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 delighted in 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 do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to construct 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has actually been rediscovered 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 which’s brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva first 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 feel 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 3 video games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly great. It resembles one huge household.’

But initially, 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 capability 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 firmly 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