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

Alex Iwobi is discussing the 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 really plays a part (in revealing 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 wish to suffice off so I believed let’s do something different that nobody else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that 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 plain 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 frame of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

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

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teen 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 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 free in a regional supermarket.

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

‘In your house I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family 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 actually inspired me to give to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s only ideal with the impact I have that I provide back too.’

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

‘As a child you wish to do your best to impress the manager and desire everybody to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed 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 people that back you, it actually 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton recently, 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 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi insists that he’s constantly had the frame of mind of feeling 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 tune ‘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 could say it’s my finest start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make certain it’s my finest season. That’s the aim’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who offers you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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 referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap”.

It’s also 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 do not 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 song. 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 said but he took pleasure in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having excellent feedback from the group – even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football 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 certainly helping us this season. We have actually 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 on 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 eat. 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 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 bit of totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly good. It resembles one big household.’

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

‘It reveals we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ 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