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

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

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

‘My daddy’s in the home and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t desire to cut it off so I thought let’s do something various that nobody else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute however I like it. My daddy’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 insists that he’s always had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has actually just expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. 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 made his finest start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches

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

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 everything will be complimentary in a local grocery store.

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

‘In the home I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just right 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 actually already scored more objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and want everyone to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re positive 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.’

Among those individuals that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn’t think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said 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 insists that he’s constantly 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 tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been involved in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it’s my best start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make certain it’s my best season. That’s the objective’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a supervisor who gives you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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?’ which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended 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 since 2003-04.

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

‘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 understand the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated however he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having great feedback from the group – even the people who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to build 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has been discovered 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 team meals and bonding which’s brought a lot of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially 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 seem 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 games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another bit of free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really nice. It’s like one big family.’

But first, 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 was full of credit for Fulham.

‘It reveals we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ Iwobi firmly insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot’s league-leaders may well be hearing ‘What’s Luv’ blasting out from the away dressing space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi