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 helped his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My daddy’s in the house and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I my hair. I got tired and didn’t want to cut it off so I believed let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually told the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My dad’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

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

Iwobi insists that he’s always had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has actually only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

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

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

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired teen 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 households for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his home town, where everything will be free in a local grocery store.

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

‘In your home 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 purchase bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s only right with the influence I have that I give back too.’

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

‘As a child you want to do your finest to impress the manager and want everybody to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative comments. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly 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 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 said it was Iwobi’s ‘best 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 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 became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been involved in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it’s my finest start to the season – I just have to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the aim’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice 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 debut tune ‘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 also a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.

‘I do not get it on in the dressing room however 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 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 stated 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 excellent feedback from the team – even the people who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ adds 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 hardly 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 been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation 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 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 on 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 arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we’re ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly good. It’s like one big family.’

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

‘It shows we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ 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