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 hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My daddy’s in your house 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 thought let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the moment however I like it. My father’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 firmly insists that he’s constantly had the frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has just revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s just just recently that I’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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

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

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut under Arsene Wenger

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

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

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

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently 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 child you want to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to understand you are fully focused on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s constructive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. 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 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated 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

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 first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it’s my finest start to the season – I just have to keep it going and make certain it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who provides 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 launching 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 mix 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 considering that 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 assist 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 simply vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said it wasn’t bad. I understand the first time he didn’t comprehend what was said but he took pleasure in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having excellent feedback from the group – even the people who do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however 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 camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly assisting us this season. We have actually 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 eliminated as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once 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 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually good. It’s like one big family.’

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 reveals we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi