Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him

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

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

‘My daddy’s in your house and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t desire to suffice off so I believed let’s do something different that no one else has. I literally 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 however I like it. My daddy’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s always had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has just revealed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. 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 best start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have contributed 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 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 everything will be complimentary in a local grocery store.

‘You understand what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an intense video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.

‘In the home I was raised in, my father naturally just offered back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just ideal with the impact I have that I return as well.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more objectives than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you want to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling confident 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 versus Brighton recently, Silva stated 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 constantly 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 release a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it’s my best start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make certain it’s my best season. That’s the aim’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good 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 launch 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 blended 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 because 2003-04.

‘I don’t get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can’t help himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘He is tapping the supervisor 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 stated it wasn’t bad. I know the first time he didn’t understand what was said but he delighted in 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 very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but he was sacked 4 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 once again. Now that delight has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal of togetherness, says 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 journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another little bit of totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually nice. It’s like one big household.’

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 was full of credit for Fulham.

‘It reveals we have the capability to compete with 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 might well be hearing ‘What’s Luv’ blasting out from the away dressing room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi