Iwobi Open 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 hairstyle has actually assisted his in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My daddy’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 thought let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the minute however I like it. My papa’s accepted it now so I’m simple.’

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching 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 recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s only just recently that I’ve been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches

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

It’s a stark 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 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 grocery store.

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

‘In your home I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s just right with the influence I have that I return as well.’

Through these initiatives 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 five in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you wish to do your best to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually 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 be reluctant 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 ‘best season in the Premier League up until now’ and he agrees.

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

Iwobi insists that he’s constantly had the mindset of feeling 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 song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been involved in a great deal 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 make certain it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is explained 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 do not get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can’t help himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. 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 know 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 good feedback from the group – even the people who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy 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 hardly 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 uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a great deal 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 handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

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

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly nice. It resembles one big household.’

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

‘It shows we have the capability to contend with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ Iwobi firmly insists.

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

FulhamAlex Iwobi