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 best start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My daddy’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 wish to suffice off so I thought let’s do something various that no one else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to however not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My dad’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 frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has just expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s only just recently that I’ve 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 5 goals in 15 matches

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

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 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 everything will be totally free in a local supermarket.

‘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 exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.

‘In the home I was raised in, my father naturally just gave back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just ideal 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 objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s constructive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost 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 in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘best 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 always had the state of mind of sensation 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 been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it’s my finest start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the aim’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who provides 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 launching tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is explained as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing blended with Rap”.

It’s likewise a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.

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

‘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 resembled ‘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 group – even the 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 four 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 camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure 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 helping us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which’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 eliminated as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. 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 prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another little bit of free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly great. It’s like one huge household.’

But initially, 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 video game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.

‘It reveals we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not scared. 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 might well be hearing ‘What’s Luv’ blasting out from the away dressing space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi