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

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

‘My daddy’s in your home and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t want to suffice off so I thought let’s do something various that nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ 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 plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he’s always had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has only expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

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

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch enhancement

It’s a stark 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 home town, where everything will be free in a local supermarket.

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

‘In your home I was raised in, my father naturally simply offered back. To individuals 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 dad are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate 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 initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The has already scored more goals 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 child you want to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to understand you are fully focused on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly 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 think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League so far’ and he agrees.

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

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

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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 included in a great deal 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 just need to keep it going and make sure it’s my best season. That’s the objective’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a manager who provides you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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 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 since 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 just vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said it wasn’t bad. I know the very first time he didn’t understand what was said however he took pleasure in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

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

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder however he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We’ve been having group 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 on in 2023

Iwobi will have his work eliminated 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 once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another bit of free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually nice. It’s like one huge family.’

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 ability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ Iwobi 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