Iwobi Opens up 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 hairstyle has actually assisted 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 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 wish to cut it off so I thought let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the moment however I like it. My dad’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 always had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has just expressed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching 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 only recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to that I am not simply 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 says his multi-coloured braids have 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 everything will be totally free in a local grocery store.
‘You understand what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an extreme video game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.
‘In your home I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s just ideal with the impact I have that I provide back too.’
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more objectives than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
‘As a child you desire to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.
‘You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly 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 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
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 ended up being 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 actually been involved in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it’s my best start to the season – I just need to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the aim’ 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 states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is explained 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 space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.
‘I do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just 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 was like ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said it wasn’t bad. I understand the first time he didn’t understand what was said however he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.
‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having good feedback from the team – even the people who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ includes Iwobi.
Silva’s strategy 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 again. Now that delight has been found after his ₤ 22M move last year.
‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely assisting us this season. We’ve been having team 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 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 consume. We organised a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re prepared 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 desires to take us out. That’s another little bit of complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly nice. It resembles one huge household.’
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 had lots of credit for Fulham.
‘It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not scared. 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 room.
FulhamAlex Iwobi