Iwobi Opens up 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 sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

'Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.

'My daddy's in your house and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't desire to suffice off so I believed let's do something different that nobody else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My daddy'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 mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football but has actually just expressed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only 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 says.

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

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

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated as Fulham handle 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 complimentary in a regional grocery store.

'You understand what Liverpool resemble – it's going to be an extreme game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.

'In the home I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply gave back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would just purchase 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 lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's only ideal with the influence I have that I offer back also.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind Forest.

'As a youngster you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best 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 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 ended up being 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?'

'I have been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it's my finest start to the season – I just need to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

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 released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing space 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 just 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 said but 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 don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to build 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has been found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely assisting us this season. We've been having team 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 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 again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video 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 really great. It resembles 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 had plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It shows 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 a result,' 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi