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 hairdo has helped his football in what he views 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 father’s in your home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t want to suffice off so I believed let’s do something different that nobody else has. I actually the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My dad’s accepted it now so I’m simple.’

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 always had the frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has actually just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s just just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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 contributed to his on-pitch improvement

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out as Fulham handle 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 whatever will be free in a local supermarket.

‘You know what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an intense video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.

‘In your home I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually motivated me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just right with the influence I have that I provide back too.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick 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 simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a child you desire to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) features age, being totally free and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it’s constructive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling positive 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 individuals 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 last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘best 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 always had the state of mind 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 tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been involved in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it’s my finest start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the aim’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a manager who provides 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 referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix 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 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 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 know the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated 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 group – even the people who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We’ve been having team 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 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 organised a journey 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 seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another bit of free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually good. It’s like one huge family.’

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.

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