Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him

Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has helped his football in what he sees 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 my hair. I got tired and didn’t wish to suffice off so I believed let’s do something different that nobody else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My father’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 firmly insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has actually only revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs 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 just just recently that I have actually 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 made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually contributed 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 eliminated 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 everything will be complimentary in a local supermarket.

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

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

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has 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 want to do your finest to impress the manager and want everybody to know you are fully focused on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it’s constructive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re confident 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 truly plays a part.’

One of 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ 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 constantly had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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?’

‘I have been involved in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it’s my best start to the season – I just have to keep it going and make sure it’s my best 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 provides you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap”.

It’s also a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.

‘I do not get it on in the dressing space 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 simply vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was said but he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having good feedback from the team – even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly helping us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding and that’s brought a great deal of togetherness, says 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 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 feel like we’re prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer desires to take us out. That’s another little bit of complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly good. It’s like one huge family.’

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal last week 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 ability to take on anyone. We are not scared. 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi