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 hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My papa’s in your house and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t desire to suffice off so I believed let’s do something various that nobody else has. I actually told the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My dad’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly 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, releasing songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s just just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals 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 5 objectives in 15 matches

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

It’s a plain 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 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 know what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an extreme game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.

‘In your home I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s only ideal with the impact I have that I provide back too.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret 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 simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you want to do your best to impress the manager and desire everyone to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s useful, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually 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 last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘best 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 insists that he’s constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it’s my best start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a manager who gives you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

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?’ which is explained as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined with Rap”.

It’s likewise a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

‘I do not get it on in the dressing room but 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 very first time he (Silva) heard ‘What’s Luv?’ he was just vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin resembled ‘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 great feedback from the team – even the people who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy 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 barely 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 again. Now that happiness has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on 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 trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel 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 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 truly good. It’s like one big family.’

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal last week 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 compete with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ 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