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 finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My papa’s in the home and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t wish to suffice off so I believed let’s do something different that nobody else has. I literally told the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My father’s accepted it now so I’m simple.’

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 frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has actually just revealed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only just recently that I have actually been revealing 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 best start to a season with five goals in 15 matches

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

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 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 supermarket.

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

‘In the house I was raised in, my papa naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s just best with the influence I have that I provide back too.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you desire to do your best to impress the manager and want everybody to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) features age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva said 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 insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched 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 ensure it’s my best season. That’s the aim’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who provides you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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?’ which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap”.

It’s also a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best 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 just can’t help himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘He is tapping the manager to listen to the song. The very 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 said however he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having good feedback from the team – even individuals who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ 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 hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding and that’s brought a lot of togetherness, says 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 handle 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), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer desires to take us out. That’s another little bit of free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly nice. It’s like one huge family.’

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 shows we have the ability to compete with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same versus 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