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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 finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘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 wish to suffice off so I believed let’s do something various that no one else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute however 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 insists that he’s constantly had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s only recently that I’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch improvement

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 home town, where everything will be free in a regional supermarket.

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

‘In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally just provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s only right with the influence I have that I offer back too.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already 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 youngster you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everyone to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s constructive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed 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 individuals that back you, it really plays a part.’

Among those people that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn’t think twice when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, 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 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 debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it’s my best start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who offers you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a Luv?’ which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend 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 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 help himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘He is tapping the manager to listen to the song. The very 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 know 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 good feedback from the team – 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 but he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly 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 once again. Now that joy has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding which’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 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 organised 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.’

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

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

‘It shows we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the 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