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

Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My papa’s in your house 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 thought let’s do something different that nobody else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My papa’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

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

Iwobi insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has only revealed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

Alexi Iwobi has actually 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 contributed to his on-pitch improvement

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 cut out as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and on Sunday, he will be back in London feeding 100 households 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 grocery store.

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

‘In the home I was raised in, my dad naturally just offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually motivated me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s only best with the influence I have that I return 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 want to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are totally focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable 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 positive to reveal 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 individuals that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn’t hesitate when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, 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 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 release a single with his debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with a great deal of objectives, a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it’s my finest start to the season – I just need to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a manager who provides you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

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?’ which is referred to 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 finest start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.

‘I don’t get it on in the dressing space but 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 know the very first time he didn’t understand what was stated 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 the people who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has been found after his ₤ 22M move last year.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a lot 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 take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we’re ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another little free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really good. It’s like one huge family.’

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly 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 frightened. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ Iwobi firmly 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