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 hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My daddy’s in the house and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t desire to cut it off so I thought let’s do something various that nobody else has. I actually told the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My papa’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 constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has actually only revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

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

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

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

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

This weekend, the 28 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 totally free in a local grocery store.

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

‘In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s just ideal with the impact I have that I return also.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more objectives than in any other season, with 5 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 best to impress the manager and want everybody to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 think twice when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, 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 always had the frame 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 launch 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 great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it’s my finest start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make certain it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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 an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing mixed 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 considering that 2003-04.

‘I do not get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can’t assist himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The 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 said it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated but he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having good feedback from the team – even the individuals who don’t speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder however he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that joy has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We’ve been having group 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 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 journey 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 prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really nice. It’s like one big family.’

But first, 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 was complete of credit for Fulham.

‘It reveals we have the capability to take on 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi