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

Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually assisted his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My daddy’s in your house and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t desire to cut it off so I thought let’s do something different that nobody else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the minute however 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 in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he’s always had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has actually only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles 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 people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has actually 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 plain contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his launching under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out 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 everything will be complimentary in a local grocery store.

‘You know what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an extreme video game but whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist 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 individuals in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s just best with the influence I have that I return as well.’

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

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

‘You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually 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 hesitate when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League so far’ 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 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 launch a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it’s my best start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing 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 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 combined 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 since 2003-04.

‘I don’t get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can’t help himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘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 stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated however he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having good 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 develop around the midfielder but 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has actually been found after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely helping us this season. We’ve been having team meals and bonding which’s brought a lot 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 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 organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back 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 video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another bit of totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually nice. It’s like one huge family.’

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly 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 take on anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi