Iwobi Open 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 hairdo has actually helped his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My papa’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 nobody else has. I literally told the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because 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 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 in current years, 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 only just 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 says.

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

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

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

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out as Fulham handle 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 whatever will be complimentary in a regional supermarket.

‘You understand what Liverpool are like – 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 daddy naturally just gave back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it’s just right with the impact I have that I return as well.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The has currently scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you want to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals 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 in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘best season in the Premier League up until now’ and he concurs.

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 mindset of sensation 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 launching tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state 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 aim’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a manager who provides you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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 mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap”.

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

‘I do not get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can’t assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

‘He is tapping the supervisor 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 resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I know the first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated but he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having excellent feedback from the group – even individuals who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to develop 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 disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely helping us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding and that’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 handle 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 again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we’re all set to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another little bit of complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly good. It resembles one big household.’

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

‘It shows we have the capability to compete with anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi