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

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

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

‘My daddy’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 believed let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to ‘reveal 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 simple.’

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

Iwobi insists that he’s always had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

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

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually 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 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 everything will be free in a regional grocery store.

‘You understand what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an intense game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.

‘In your house I was raised in, my daddy naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s only best with the influence I have that I offer back as well.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick 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 simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

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

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 hesitate 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 ‘finest season in the Premier League so far’ 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 always had the frame of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football

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?’

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

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as an event 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 best start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.

‘I don’t get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can’t help himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘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 understand the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated however 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 don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly helping 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 handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised 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 ready 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 bit of free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually nice. It’s like one big 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 shows we have the capability to complete with anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact 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