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

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

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

‘My papa’s in the home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t want to cut it off so I believed let’s do something different that nobody else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My dad’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

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

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s always had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has just revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing 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 show individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

has actually 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 contributed to his on-pitch enhancement

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 supermarket.

‘You know what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an intense video game but whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.

‘In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally simply provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would just buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has influenced me to give to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it’s only right with the influence I have that I give back as well.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you wish to do your best to impress the manager and want everybody to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ 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 feeling like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the 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 associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it’s my best start to the season – I just have to keep it going and make certain it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who gives you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune ‘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 blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap”.

It’s likewise a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their finest 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 assist himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. 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 stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated however he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having great feedback from the group – even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ includes 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 barely played him at all.

Iwobi would travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely helping us this season. We’ve been having team meals and bonding and that’s brought a lot of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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 arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back 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 team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer desires to take us out. That’s another little complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly good. It resembles one big family.’

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and directly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows we have the capability to contend with anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ Iwobi firmly 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