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

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

‘My father’s in the home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t wish to suffice off so I thought let’s do something different that no one else has. I literally told the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My daddy’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 state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has actually just expressed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s just recently that I’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not simply 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 debut under Arsene Wenger

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

‘You understand 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 stresses.

‘In the home I was raised in, my papa naturally just provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually inspired me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it’s only right with the influence I have that I offer back also.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more 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 wish to do your best to impress the manager and want everybody to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually plays a part.’

Among those people that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn’t be reluctant when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League so far’ and he agrees.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s always had the mindset of feeling 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 debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been included in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it’s my finest start to the season – I just have to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the goal’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who offers 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 debut song ‘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 blend of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap”.

It’s likewise a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season given 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 reveals.

‘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 was like ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t understand what was said but he took pleasure in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having good feedback from the team – even individuals who do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ 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 travel 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 actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely helping us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal 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 take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We arranged a trip 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is organised 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 totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly great. It’s like one huge household.’

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 compete with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi