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

Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‚My dad’s in your house and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t desire to cut it off so I believed let’s do something various that nobody else has. I literally told the hairdresser to ‚express 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 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 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 but has actually just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‚It’s always been my hobby 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 people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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

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

It’s a plain 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 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 local grocery store.

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

‚In your home I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually influenced me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it’s just ideal with the impact I have that I return too.‘

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 five in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‚As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being totally free and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,‘ he says.

‚You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling great 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 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 last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‚finest season in the Premier League up until now‘ 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 constantly had the mindset of 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 goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it’s my best start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the aim‘ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‚the license to express‘ himself. ‚It’s great to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,‘ he states.

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?‘ which is described 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 given that 2003-04.

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

‚He is tapping the manager 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 said 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 excellent feedback from the team – even the individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,‘ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder but 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 take a trip throughout 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 found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‚Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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 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 seem 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 video games in seven days over Christmas. ‚The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of complimentary food so I’m not complaining,‘ jokes Iwobi. ‚It’s actually good. It’s like one big household.‘

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

‚It reveals we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi