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

Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has helped his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My daddy’s in your house and he’s probably 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 various that nobody else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My daddy’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has just revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs 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 just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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

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

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his launching under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out 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 hometown, where whatever will be totally free in a regional grocery store.

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

‘In your house I was raised in, my father naturally just gave back. To individuals 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 papa are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the I am in, I feel like it’s only ideal with the influence I have that I return too.’

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 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 finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to know you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) features age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s positive, you do not 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 almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly plays a part.’

One of those people that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn’t think twice when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘best season in the Premier League so far’ and he concurs.

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 launch 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 say it’s my best start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice 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 tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released 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 likewise a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season because 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 supervisor to listen to the song. 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 stated it wasn’t bad. I know the first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated but he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having good 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 plan at Everton was to construct around the midfielder but 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has actually been found after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly assisting us this season. We have actually 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 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 feel like we’re all set 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 wants to take us out. That’s another bit of totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually nice. It’s like one big family.’

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

‘It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ 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