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 views as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‚My daddy’s in the home and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t want to suffice off so I believed let’s do something different that nobody else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to ‚express 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 stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s always had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has actually only expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and launching 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 revealing myself a lot more, to show people 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 actually added 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 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 home town, where whatever will be free in a regional grocery store.

‚You know what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an intense game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,‘ Iwobi stresses.

‚In the home I was raised in, my dad naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just best with the impact I have that I give back as well.‘

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently 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 wish to do your finest to impress the manager and want everybody to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,‘ he says.

‚You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have that back you, it really 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‚best season in the Premier League so far‘ 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 frame of mind 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 associated with 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 simply have to keep it going and make sure it’s my best season. That’s the aim‘ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‚the license to express‘ himself. ‚It’s great to have a manager 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 release a single with his launching song ‚Don’t Shoot‘ and in November released a follow-up ‚What’s Luv?‘ which is explained as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing mixed 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 considering that 2003-04.

‚I don’t get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can’t assist himself, Iwobi exposes.

‚He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The 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 said it wasn’t bad. I know the very first time he didn’t understand what was stated but he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‚Everyone vibes with it and I’m having excellent feedback from the group – even the people who don’t 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 barely 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 actually been found after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

‚Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We’ve been having group 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 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 consume. We arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once 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 seven days over Christmas. ‚The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another bit of totally free food so I’m not grumbling,‘ jokes Iwobi. ‚It’s truly good. It’s like one huge family.‘

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

‚It shows we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. 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 may well be hearing ‚What’s Luv‘ blasting out from the away dressing space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi