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 assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My dad’s in your house and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t want to suffice off so I thought let’s do something various that nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ but 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 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 constantly had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has only revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show 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 5 objectives in 15 matches

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

It’s a plain 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 whatever will be complimentary in a regional supermarket.

‘You understand what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an extreme video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.

‘In your house I was raised in, my father naturally simply provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s just ideal with the influence I have that I return also.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick 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 simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a child you desire to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s constructive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well 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 individuals 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 think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, 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 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 song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been associated with a lot 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 just have to keep it going and make certain it’s my . That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who gives you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is described as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap”.

It’s likewise a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season because 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 help himself, Iwobi reveals.

‘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 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 good feedback from the team – even individuals who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to construct 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 take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has been discovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely assisting us this season. We’ve been having team meals and bonding and that’s brought a great deal of togetherness, states 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 arranged a trip 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 organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer desires to take us out. That’s another bit of totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly nice. It resembles one huge family.’

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

‘It reveals we have the ability to compete with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same against 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi