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 sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My daddy’s in your home 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 thought let’s do something various that no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the moment however I like it. My daddy’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 firmly insists that he’s always had the frame of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch improvement

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired teen who made his launching 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 households for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his home town, where everything will be complimentary in a local 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 home I was raised in, my dad naturally simply offered back. To people 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 daddy are has actually inspired me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s only ideal with the influence I have that I return as well.’

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

‘As a youngster you want to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s useful, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘best 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 firmly insists that he’s constantly had the frame of mind 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 tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it’s my best start to the I just need 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 nice to have a manager who offers you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the 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 an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined 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 since 2003-04.

‘I do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can’t assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. The 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 know the very first time he didn’t understand what was stated however 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 do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to build 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 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 relocation last year.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly assisting us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding which’s brought a lot 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 consume. We arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another bit of complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly good. It resembles one big household.’

But first, 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 game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

‘It reveals we have the ability to compete with anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact same against 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