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

Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he sees as his finest 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 home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t want to cut it off so I believed let’s do something various that no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the moment however I like it. My father’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 feeling like there’s more to life than football but has just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s just just recently that I have actually been revealing 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 five objectives in 15 matches

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

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired teen who made his launching 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 local grocery store.

‘You understand what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an extreme game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.

‘In your home I was raised in, my father naturally just provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just right with the impact I have that I provide back too.’

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

‘As a youngster you desire to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are totally focused on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling confident to reveal 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 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 in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, 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 insists that he’s constantly had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football

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

‘I have been included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it’s my best start to the season – I just need to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first footballer to launch a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched 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 room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.

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

‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. 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 stated but he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.

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

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder but 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 disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has been found after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that’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 take on 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), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another bit of complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually nice. It’s like one huge household.’

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 game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

‘It reveals we have the ability to complete with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact 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