Iwobi Open 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 hairstyle has helped his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

‘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 tired and didn’t wish to suffice off so I believed let’s do something various that nobody else has. I actually told the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My papa’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 feeling like there’s more to life than football however has actually just expressed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only 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 five objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually contributed to his on-pitch improvement

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired teen 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 regional supermarket.

‘You know what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an extreme game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.

‘In your home I was raised in, my father naturally just gave back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s only right with the impact I have that I return also.’

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 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 manager and desire everyone to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being totally free and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re positive 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 truly 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 think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League so far’ and he concurs.

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

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

‘I have been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it’s my best start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and make sure it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who provides 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 song ‘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 blended with Rap”.

It’s also a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season given that 2003-04.

‘I do not 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 just 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 excellent feedback from the group – even the individuals who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to construct 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 take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly assisting us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding which’s brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva first 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), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re all set to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another bit of free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really great. It resembles one huge family.’

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal last week 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 take on anyone. We are not terrified. 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 may well be hearing ‘What’s Luv’ blasting out from the away dressing room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi