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

Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has helped his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My daddy’s in your home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t want to cut it off so I believed 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 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 plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has actually just expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals 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 5 objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually added 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 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 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 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 offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually motivated me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the I am in, I seem like it’s only ideal with the impact I have that I provide back as well.’

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

‘As a youngster you desire to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s useful, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need 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 practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against 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 insists that he’s always had the frame of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football

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

‘I have actually been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it’s my finest start to the season – I just need to keep it going and make certain it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ 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 ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching 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 mix 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 don’t get it on in the dressing space 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 first time he (Silva) heard ‘What’s Luv?’ he was simply vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was said however he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.

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

Silva’s plan at Everton was to develop 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 take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move 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 group 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 on in 2023

Iwobi will have his work eliminated 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 journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once 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 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 grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually good. It resembles one big family.’

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 video game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ 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