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 hairdo has actually helped 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 father’s in the house and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t want to suffice off so I thought let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually told the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My dad’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

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 always had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has actually only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable foundation, 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 expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch improvement

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 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 totally 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 be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.

‘In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally just provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would just buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it’s only right with the impact I have that I give back also.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you want to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everyone to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost 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 versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ and he concurs.

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

Iwobi insists that he’s always had the frame of mind of sensation 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 launching tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it’s my best start to the season – I just need to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the aim’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to himself. ‘It’s great to have a supervisor who offers you the self-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 debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched 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 space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.

‘I don’t get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can’t assist 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 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 comprehend what was stated but he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.

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

Silva’s plan at Everton was to construct around the midfielder but he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely 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 uncovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly helping us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding which’s brought a lot 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 cut out as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised a journey 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three 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 actually good. It’s like one huge family.’

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 was full of credit for Fulham.

‘It reveals we have the ability to contend with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact 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