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

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

in the home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t wish to suffice off so I thought let’s do something various that no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the minute however I like it. My father’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 constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has actually just revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

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

The 28-year-old says 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 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 households 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 supermarket.

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

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

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more objectives 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 wish to do your best to impress the manager and desire everybody to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly plays a part.’

Among 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, 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 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi insists that he’s always had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch 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 lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it’s my finest start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a manager who offers you the confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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?’ which is described as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed 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 because 2003-04.

‘I don’t get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just 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 said it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t understand what was said however he delighted 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 don’t speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy 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 hardly 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 once again. Now that pleasure has actually been found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We’ve been having team meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially 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 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 three games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer desires to take us out. That’s another little free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually great. It’s like one big household.’

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly 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 take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ 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