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

Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually helped his in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My father’s in the home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t want to suffice off so I believed let’s do something various that no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the moment however 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 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 recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s only recently that I’ve been revealing myself a lot more, to show 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 goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually contributed to his on-pitch improvement

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teen 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 home town, where everything will be complimentary 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 the home I was raised in, my daddy naturally just provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually motivated me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it’s only best with the impact I have that I offer back as well.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently 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 child you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it’s constructive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ and he concurs.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 households 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 release a single with his debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it’s my best start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the aim’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who gives you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became 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?’ which is described 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 room, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

‘I do not get it on in the dressing space however 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 tune. The very first time he (Silva) heard ‘What’s Luv?’ he was just vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was said but he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.

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

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder but 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has actually been found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s mindset 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, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on 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 eat. We organised a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is organised 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 really great. It resembles one big household.’

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. 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 may well be hearing ‘What’s Luv’ blasting out from the away dressing space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi