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

Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has helped his 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 states.

‘My daddy’s in the house and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t desire to suffice off so I thought let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually told the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My papa’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 feeling like there’s more to life than football however has only expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my hobby 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 reveal individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has 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 actually contributed to his on-pitch enhancement

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 eliminated as Fulham take on 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 free in a local grocery store.

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

‘In the home I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would just buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s just right with the impact I have that I offer back too.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more objectives 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 desire to do your finest to impress the manager and want everyone to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals 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 be reluctant when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League so far’ and he concurs.

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

Iwobi insists that he’s constantly had the state 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 song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it’s my best start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a manager who offers you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the 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?’ which is explained as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap”.

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

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

‘He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The 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 know the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was said however he delighted 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 first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly 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 once again. Now that joy has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation 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 and that’s brought a great deal of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva first 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 consume. We arranged a journey 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another bit of totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually good. It resembles 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 game where Pep Guardiola was full of credit for Fulham.

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