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

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

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

‘My dad’s in your home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t desire to suffice off so I thought let’s do something different that nobody else has. I literally told 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 moment but I like it. My papa’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 constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has actually only revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable foundation, 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’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches

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

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his debut 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 totally free in a regional grocery store.

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

‘In your house I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply offered back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household 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 actually influenced me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s just ideal with the influence I have that I provide back as well.’

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

‘As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s useful, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling positive to express 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, it was Iwobi’s ‘best 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 firmly 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 first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been involved in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it’s my finest start to the season – I just need to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the aim’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who provides you the confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch 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 mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap”.

It’s also 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 don’t get it on in the dressing space but 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 very first time he (Silva) heard ‘What’s Luv?’ he was just vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin was like ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t understand what was said but he took pleasure in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having great feedback from the group – even the people who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder but 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 again. Now that happiness has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly helping us this season. We’ve been having team meals and bonding and that’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 consume. We organised a journey 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually good. It resembles one big household.’

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 game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ Iwobi firmly insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot’s league-leaders may well be hearing ‘What’s Luv’ blasting out from the away dressing room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi