Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually 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 finest start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My dad’s in your house and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t wish to cut it off so I believed let’s do something different that no one else has. I literally 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 easy.’

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he’s always had the frame of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has just expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s just just recently that I’ve been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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

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

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his debut 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 everything will be free in a local supermarket.

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

‘In the house I was raised in, my dad naturally just back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has motivated me to give to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s only ideal with the impact I have that I give back also.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has 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 child you desire to do your best to impress the manager and desire everybody to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly 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 ‘best 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 insists that he’s constantly had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been included in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it’s my finest start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make certain it’s my finest season. That’s the goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a supervisor who gives you the confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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?’ which is explained as a celebration of his African roots with a mix 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 don’t get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can’t help himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘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 was like ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the first time he didn’t comprehend 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 don’t speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however 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 camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has actually been found 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 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 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 organised a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

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

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

‘It shows we have the ability to compete with anybody. We are not terrified. 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