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 hairstyle has actually assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My father’s in your house and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t desire to cut it off so I thought 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 dad’s accepted it now so I’m simple.’

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he’s always had the frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has actually just revealed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

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

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

It’s a plain 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 households for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where whatever will be complimentary in a regional supermarket.

‘You understand what Liverpool resemble – 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 returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has motivated me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s just right with the influence I have that I return as well.’

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 5 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 best to impress the manager and want everybody to understand you are fully focused on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘best season in the Premier League so far’ and he agrees.

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 frame of mind 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 debut song ‘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 been working well. You could say it’s my finest start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving 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 ended up being the first Premier League footballer to a single with his debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap”.

It’s likewise a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.

‘I do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply 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 simply 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 stated but he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.

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

Silva’s plan 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 barely 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 pleasure has actually been discovered 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 have actually been having team meals and bonding which’s brought a lot 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 take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned 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 group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another little bit of complimentary food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly good. It’s like one huge household.’

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 video game where Pep Guardiola was full of credit for Fulham.

‘It reveals we have the ability to contend with anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ 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