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 helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‚My dad’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 wish to cut it off so I believed let’s do something various 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 moment but I like it. My father’s accepted it now so I’m simple.‘

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 sensation 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 singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‚It’s always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only recently that I’ve been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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

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

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his launching 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 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 complimentary in a regional grocery store.

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

‚In the house I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has motivated me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just best with the influence I have that I offer back also.‘

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more goals 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 want everyone to know you are fully focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it’s useful, you don’t mind the criticism,‘ he states.

‚You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re confident 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‚best season in the Premier League so far‘ and he concurs.

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 mindset of sensation 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 launching song ‚Don’t Shoot‘ and in November launched a follow-up ‚What’s Luv?‘

‚I have actually been associated with a great deal 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 certain it’s my finest season. That’s the aim‘ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‚the license to express‘ himself. ‚It’s great to have a supervisor who offers you the confidence to do that,‘ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune ‚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 space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season given that 2003-04.

‚I don’t get it on in the dressing space 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 song. The 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 understand the very first time he didn’t understand what was stated but he took pleasure 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 do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,‘ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop 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 take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage 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 definitely helping us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva first 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 arranged 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 seem like we’re all set 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 complimentary food so I’m not grumbling,‘ jokes Iwobi. ‚It’s truly good. It’s like one huge family.‘

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

‚It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the same versus 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi