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 actually assisted his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My papa’s in your house and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t desire to suffice off so I thought let’s do something various that nobody else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the moment but 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 launching 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 however has actually only revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show people 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 5 objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually added 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 handle 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 free in a regional 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 your home I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s just best with the influence I have that I return as well.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more goals than in any other season, with five 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 understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s useful, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually plays a part.’

One of those people 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 versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was 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 firmly insists that he’s always had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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 actually been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it’s my finest start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and make certain it’s my finest season. That’s the goal’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who gives you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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 also a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.

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

‘He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. 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 understand what was stated however he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having excellent feedback from the group – even individuals who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to build 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 once again. Now that pleasure has been found 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 have actually been having team meals and bonding which’s brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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 eat. We arranged a trip 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another bit of free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really good. It’s like one big family.’

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

‘It reveals we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same against 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