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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 actually assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My daddy’s in your house and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t wish to cut it off so I thought let’s do something various that no one else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the minute 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 debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has actually only revealed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my pastime 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 simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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

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

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 complimentary in a local grocery store.

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

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

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

‘As a youngster you desire to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it’s useful, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated 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 insists that he’s constantly had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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?’

‘I have actually been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it’s my best start to the season – I just have to keep it going and make sure it’s my best season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is described as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing blended with Rap».

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

‘I do not get it on in the dressing room however 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 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 said it wasn’t bad. I know the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was said but he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.

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

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop 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 disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely helping us this season. We’ve been having team meals and bonding and that’s brought a lot of togetherness, says 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 arranged a trip 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 prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another little free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly good. It resembles one huge family.’

But initially, 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 full of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ Iwobi 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