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

Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My papa’s in your house and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired 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 hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild since 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 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 mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has only revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing his charitable structure, 17.

‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s just recently that I’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply 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 states his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch enhancement

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

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated as Fulham take on 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 totally free in a regional 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 stresses.

‘In your house I was raised in, my papa naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s only ideal with the impact I have that I offer back too.’

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 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and want everyone to know you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly plays a part.’

Among those people 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 recently, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘best season in the Premier League up until now’ and he agrees.

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

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

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been involved in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it’s my finest start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make sure it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a manager who provides you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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?’ which is described as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap”.

It’s also a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season because 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 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 was like ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t understand what was stated however he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having good feedback from the team – even individuals who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ 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 hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly helping us this season. We have actually 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 cut out 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer desires to take us out. That’s another little totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually great. It’s like one huge household.’

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 video game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

‘It reveals we have the ability to complete with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ Iwobi firmly 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