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

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

‘My dad’s in the house and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t wish to suffice off so I believed let’s do something different that nobody else has. I actually informed the hairdresser 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 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 launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has actually just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s just just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show people 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 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 families for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where everything will be totally free in a local grocery store.

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

‘In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally just offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually motivated me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s only ideal with the influence 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 actually currently scored more objectives than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to understand you are fully focused on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it really 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ and he agrees.

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 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 tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been included in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it’s my finest start to the season – I just need to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the aim’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who offers you the 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 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 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 don’t get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can’t assist 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 simply vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t understand what was stated but he took pleasure in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having excellent feedback from the team – even the individuals who don’t speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder however 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 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 actually been found after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely helping us this season. We’ve 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 on in 2023

Iwobi will have his work cut out as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We organised a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we’re ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer desires to take us out. That’s another little bit of free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually nice. It resembles one big family.’

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

‘It reveals we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ Iwobi firmly insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot’s league-leaders may well be hearing ‘What’s Luv’ blasting out from the away dressing space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi