Iwobi Opens up 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 hairstyle has actually assisted 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 states.

‘My dad’s in your 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 hair stylist to ‘reveal 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 dad’s accepted it now so I’m simple.’

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 frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s only 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 actually 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 plain 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 home town, where whatever will be complimentary in a local grocery store.

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

‘In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally simply provided 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 father are has actually influenced me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just ideal with the influence I have that I return also.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret 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 youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and want everyone to understand you are completely concentrated 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 psychologically. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really plays a part.’

Among those people 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 to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘best season in the Premier League so far’ and he agrees.

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 mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football

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

‘I have been included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it’s my finest start to the season – I just have to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.

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 described as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined 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 because 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 assist himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘He is tapping the manager to listen to the song. 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 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 excellent feedback from the group – even individuals who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to construct 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 take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely assisting us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which’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 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 journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned 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 video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another bit of free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really good. It’s like one huge 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 game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.

‘It reveals we have the ability to complete with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact 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