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

Alex Iwobi is talking about 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 up until now.

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

‘My daddy’s in your home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t desire to cut it off so I thought let’s do something different that nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ but 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 launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s always had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, songs and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals 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 goals in 15 matches

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

It’s a plain 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 home town, where everything will be totally free in a regional grocery store.

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

‘In the home I was raised in, my father naturally just gave back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s just right with the impact I have that I return also.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes 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 simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you desire to do your best to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it’s useful, 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 express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly 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 be reluctant when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said 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 insists that he’s always had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it’s my finest start to the season – I just have to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest 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 states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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?’ which is referred to 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 don’t get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can’t assist himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘He is tapping the supervisor 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 very first time he didn’t understand what was said however he took pleasure in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having great feedback from the team – even the individuals who do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ adds 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has actually been found after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly assisting us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially 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 arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned 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 team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really nice. It’s like one big household.’

But initially, 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 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 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