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

Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually 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 expressing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder says.

‘My father’s in the home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t wish to cut it off so I thought let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the moment however I like it. My father’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 always had the frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than however has actually just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with five objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch improvement

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 eliminated as Fulham take on 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 regional supermarket.

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

‘In the home I was raised in, my papa naturally simply provided back. To people 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 daddy are has actually inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just best with the influence I have that I offer back also.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already 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 want everybody to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost 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 in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League so far’ 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 always had the state of mind of sensation 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 song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been included in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it’s my best start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the aim’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who gives 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 released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined with Rap”.

It’s also a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing room, 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 simply can’t help himself, Iwobi reveals.

‘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 was like ‘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 excellent feedback from the team – even the individuals who don’t speak English as their mother tongue 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 camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely helping us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on in 2023

Iwobi will have his work eliminated 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 journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another bit of complimentary food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually great. It’s like one big household.’

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

‘It reveals we have the capability to contend with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ 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