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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 hairstyle has actually helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My daddy’s in your home and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t desire to suffice off so I believed let’s do something various that nobody else has. I literally told the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ however 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 launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has just expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. 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 says.

Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says 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 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 complimentary in a local grocery store.

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

‘In the home I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has motivated me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s only best with the influence I have that I offer back 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 child you desire to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually 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 hesitate when he had the chance 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 up until now’ 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 always had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to a single with his launching tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been involved in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it’s my finest start to the season – I just have to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a manager who gives 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 released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is explained as a celebration of his African roots with a mix 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 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 assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The first time he (Silva) heard ‘What’s Luv?’ he was simply 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 said however he took pleasure 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 as well,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s plan 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a lot of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially 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 organised 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 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 complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly great. It’s like one big household.’

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

‘It reveals we have the ability to compete with anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi