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

Alex Iwobi is discussing 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 so far.

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

‘My papa’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 wish to cut it off so I believed let’s do something various that no one else has. I literally informed the hair stylist 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 daddy’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

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

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s always had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has only revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches

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

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 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 home town, where whatever will be complimentary in a local grocery store.

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

‘In your house I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s only best with the influence I have that I return as well.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more 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 want to do your best to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are fully focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling great 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.’

Among those individuals 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 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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?’

‘I have 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 just need to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who provides you the 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 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 blend of Afro-Swing combined with Rap”.

It’s likewise 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 space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can’t help himself, Iwobi reveals.

‘He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. 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 said it wasn’t bad. I know the first time he didn’t understand what was said 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 the 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 4 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 once again. Now that joy has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely assisting us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a lot of togetherness, states 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 arranged 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another little totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ 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 recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows we have the capability to compete with anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi