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

Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually helped his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

‘Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in revealing 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 wish to cut it off so I thought let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My dad’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 frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has actually just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s just just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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 actually added to his on-pitch enhancement

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

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out 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 free in a local supermarket.

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

‘In the house I was raised in, my papa naturally simply provided back. To individuals 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 daddy are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it’s only best with the impact I have that I give back also.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret 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 just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s constructive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 be reluctant when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘best season in the Premier League so far’ and he agrees.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi 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 very 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?’

‘I have been involved in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it’s my finest start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the goal’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a manager who gives 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 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 do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can’t assist himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘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 very first time he didn’t comprehend what was said but he took pleasure in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having excellent feedback from the group – even individuals who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder however 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 camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has been found after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal 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 eliminated as Fulham handle 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), 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 arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another bit of totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really good. It resembles one big family.’

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal last week and directly 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 take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same versus 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi