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

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

‘My papa’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 wish to cut it off so I believed let’s do something various that nobody else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My father’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 insists that he’s constantly had the frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 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 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 totally free in a local supermarket.

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

‘In your house I was raised in, my daddy naturally just provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has motivated me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it’s just right with the impact 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 just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said 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 always had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it’s my best start to the season – I just need to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a manager who offers you the to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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?’ which is explained as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined 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 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 help himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. 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 great feedback from the team – even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We’ve been having team meals and bonding which’s brought a lot of togetherness, says 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 handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We arranged a journey 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 arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another bit of complimentary food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really nice. It’s like one big family.’

But first, 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 had lots of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows we have the ability to contend with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ Iwobi firmly 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