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

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

‘My papa’s in your 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 no one else has. I literally told the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute however I like it. My papa’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

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

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s always had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has actually just expressed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and introducing 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 have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not just 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 says his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch improvement

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his launching 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 complimentary in a regional supermarket.

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

‘In your house I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply offered back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals 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 give to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s just ideal with the influence I have that I return too.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to understand you are fully focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players when they’re positive and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really plays a part.’

One of those people 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ and he agrees.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s constantly had the frame of mind of feeling 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 actually been included in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it’s my finest start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the goal’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who gives you the confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing mixed 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 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 assist 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 said it wasn’t bad. I understand 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 good feedback from the team – even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy 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 travel 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 uncovered after his ₤ 22M move 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 great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on 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 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 team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really great. It resembles one big household.’

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 video game where Pep Guardiola was full of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the 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