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 assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

in the 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 believed let’s do something different that nobody else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the minute 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 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 but has actually only revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

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

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

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 families for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his home town, where everything will be totally free in a regional supermarket.

‘You know 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 stresses.

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

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret 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 just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you desire to do your best to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being complimentary and not being pushed 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 positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually plays a part.’

Among those people 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 last year. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘best season in the Premier League so far’ and he agrees.

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 state of mind 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 debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been included in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it’s my best start to the season – I just have to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the aim’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who provides you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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?’ which is described as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined with Rap”.

It’s also 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 exposes.

‘He is tapping the manager to listen to the song. The very first time he (Silva) heard ‘What’s Luv?’ he was just vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin was like ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said it wasn’t bad. I know the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was said however he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

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

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to construct 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has been found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

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

Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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 arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned 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 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another bit of complimentary food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really nice. It resembles one huge household.’

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the 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