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

Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually helped his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My dad’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 wish to suffice off so I believed let’s do something various that nobody else has. I actually told the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ however 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 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 feeling like there’s more to life than football but has only expressed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s only just recently that I’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal 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 five goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch enhancement

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired teen who made his launching 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 hometown, where everything will be totally free in a regional supermarket.

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

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

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently 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 youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re positive 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 really plays a part.’

Among those people 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 in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘best 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 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 launch a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it’s my best start to the season – I just need to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.

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

It’s likewise 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 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 simply vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin was like ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated however he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having great 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 develop 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 take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

‘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 and that’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 eliminated as Fulham take on 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 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 wishes to take us out. That’s another little totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly good. It’s like one big household.’

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 capability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the same against 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi