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

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

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

‘My papa’s in the home 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 various that nobody else has. I told the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute however I like it. My dad’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

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 constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has only expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s always 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 actually 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 added to his on-pitch enhancement

It’s a plain 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 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 everything will be complimentary in a local supermarket.

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

‘In the home I was raised in, my dad naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s only right with the influence I have that I return too.’

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 five 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 want everyone to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League so far’ and he concurs.

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

Iwobi insists that he’s always had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it’s my best start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching 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 combined with Rap”.

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

‘I do not get it on in the dressing room however 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 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 first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated however 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 also,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but 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 camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly assisting us this season. We have actually 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 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 arranged a journey 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 all set 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 little bit of totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually nice. It’s like one big household.’

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 had lots of credit for Fulham.

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

FulhamAlex Iwobi