Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him

Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My father’s in your home and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t want to suffice off so I believed let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the minute but 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 insists that he’s constantly had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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 contributed to his on-pitch enhancement

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

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated 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 home town, where whatever will be totally free in a local grocery store.

‘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 be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.

‘In the house I was raised in, my dad naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the I remain in, I feel like it’s only right with the influence I have that I return too.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everyone to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling great 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 people 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 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 firmly insists that he’s always 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 launch a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have 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 best season. That’s the goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a supervisor who offers you the confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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 explained as a celebration 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 room, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.

‘I don’t get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just 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 resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t understand what was stated 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 individuals who don’t speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to build 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘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 team 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 in 2023

Iwobi will have his work cut out 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 trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned 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 group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of complimentary food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really great. It’s like one big household.’

But initially, 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 video game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows we have the ability to contend with anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi