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

Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My father’s in the home and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t want to cut it off so I thought let’s do something various that no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My papa’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 firmly insists that he’s constantly had the frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has actually just revealed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s just just recently that I’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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 actually added 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 households for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where everything will be complimentary in a regional supermarket.

‘You know what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an extreme game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.

‘In the house I was raised in, my papa naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s only right with the impact I have that I return too.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind Forest.

‘As a child you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everyone to know you are completely focused on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually plays a part.’

One of 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 last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ 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 always had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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 included in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it’s my best start to the season – I just have to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a supervisor who offers you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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 a celebration 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 given that 2003-04.

‘I don’t get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can’t help 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 comprehend what was stated however 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 the people who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to build 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 disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly helping us this season. We’ve 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 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 trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel 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 totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly nice. It’s like one big household.’

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

‘It shows we have the ability to compete with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi