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

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

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

‘My papa’s in your home and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t want to cut it off so I believed let’s do something various that nobody else has. I literally told the hair stylist to ‘reveal 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 papa’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 firmly insists that he’s always had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has just revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s only recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have contributed 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 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 home town, where whatever will be complimentary in a local supermarket.

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

‘In your house I was raised in, my daddy naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has motivated me to give to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just ideal with the impact I have that I return as well.’

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 just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and want everyone to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘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 practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 hesitate when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest 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 constantly had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became 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 objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state 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 goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a manager who provides you the confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap ».

It’s likewise a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing space, 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 just can’t help himself, Iwobi reveals.

‘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 said it wasn’t bad. I know the very first time he didn’t understand what was stated but he took pleasure in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having great feedback from the group – even individuals who don’t speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder however 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We’ve been having group 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 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 consume. We arranged 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 prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually good. It resembles one big household.’

But initially, 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 was complete of credit for Fulham.

‘It reveals we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ 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