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

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

‘My dad’s in the house and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t wish to suffice off so I believed let’s do something various that nobody else has. I literally told 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 however 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 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 the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

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

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

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

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out as Fulham take on 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 totally free in a local grocery store.

‘You understand what Liverpool resemble – 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 house I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s only ideal with the influence I have that I return as well.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already 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 desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to know you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling positive 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 in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ and he agrees.

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 mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became 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?’

‘I have actually been associated with a lot of goals, 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 objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a supervisor who gives you the to do that,’ he states.

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 released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is described as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap”.

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

‘I do not get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can’t assist 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 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 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 the people who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy 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 hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly assisting us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal 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 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven 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 great. It resembles one big household.’

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

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