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 helped 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 dad’s in the home 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 believed let’s do something various that no one else has. I literally told the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ however 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 debut 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 actually just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles 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 just just recently that I’ve been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch enhancement

It’s a plain 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 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 everything will be free in a regional grocery store.

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

‘In the house I was raised in, my papa 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 papa are has actually inspired me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s only right with the influence I have that I return also.’

Through these efforts 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 five 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 best to impress the manager and want everybody to know you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically 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 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 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of sensation 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 tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been involved in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it’s my finest start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a manager who offers you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song ‘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 room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

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

‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The 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 understand the very first time he didn’t understand what was stated however he took pleasure in 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 don’t speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy 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 barely played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip across 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 found after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly helping us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding and that’s brought a great deal 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 eliminated 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 trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re prepared 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 wants to take us out. That’s another little free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really good. It’s like one big household.’

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and directly 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 anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same versus 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