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

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

’Yeah, that actually plays a part (in revealing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder says.

’My dad’s in your house and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t wish to suffice off so I thought let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually 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 papa’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 insists that he’s constantly had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has actually just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

’It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s just recently that I’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not just 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 actually added 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 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 hometown, where everything will be complimentary in a regional grocery store.

’You understand 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 tensions.

’In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally simply offered back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has motivated me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s only ideal with the influence I have that I provide back also.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

’As a child you desire to do your best to impress the manager and want everybody to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

’You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly 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 think twice when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. 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 mindset 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 launched a follow-up ’What’s Luv?’

’I have been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it’s my best start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ’the license to express’ himself. ’It’s nice to have a manager who offers you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching song ’Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ’What’s Luv?’ which is described as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined with Rap”.

It’s also 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 help himself, Iwobi reveals.

’He is tapping the supervisor 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 said it wasn’t bad. I know 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 group – 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 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 pleasure has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

’Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly assisting us this season. We’ve been having group 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 eliminated as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

’Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we’re ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. ’The gaffer desires to take us out. That’s another bit of complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ’It’s truly nice. It resembles one huge family.’

But first, 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 had lots of credit for Fulham.

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

FulhamAlex Iwobi