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

Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My father’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 wish to suffice off so I believed let’s do something various that no one else has. I actually told the hair stylist to ‘reveal 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 dad’s accepted it now so I’m simple.’

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 constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has just revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s just 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 says.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with five goals 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 teenager who made his launching 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 home town, where whatever will be complimentary in a local supermarket.

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

‘In the house I was raised in, my daddy naturally just gave 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 influenced me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s only right with the influence I have that I give back also.’

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

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

‘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 really plays a part.’

Among 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 against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League so far’ 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 mindset 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 tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it’s my best start to the season – I just have 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 great to have a manager who provides you the confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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?’ which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined with Rap”.

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

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

‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. The first time he (Silva) heard ‘What’s Luv?’ he was simply 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 but he took pleasure 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 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 build 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has actually been found after his ₤ 22M move last year.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly helping us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on 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 organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel 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 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 big household.’

But initially, 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 shows we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same versus 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