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

Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle 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 says.

‘My dad’s in your 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 thought let’s do something different that nobody else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the moment however I like it. My daddy’s accepted it now so I’m simple.’

It’s a stark 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 sensation like there’s more to life than football however has just expressed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs 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 people 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 five objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch enhancement

It’s a plain 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 families 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 regional supermarket.

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

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

‘As a child you wish to do your best to impress the manager and want everyone to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly 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 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 stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ and he concurs.

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

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football

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?’

‘I have actually been associated with a great deal 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 just need to keep it going and make certain it’s my finest season. That’s the aim’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a manager who offers you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.

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 released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap ».

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

‘I do not get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can’t assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. 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 stated however he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

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

Silva’s plan at Everton was to construct 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that delight 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 absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a great deal of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another bit of totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really great. It resembles one huge household.’

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

‘It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact same against 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