Yohaig News

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 hairdo has helped his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My dad’s in the 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 suffice off so I believed let’s do something various that nobody else has. I literally told the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the minute however I like it. My papa’s accepted it now so I’m simple.’

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut 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 however has actually only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only recently that I’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply 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 says his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch improvement

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teen 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 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 totally free in a local supermarket.

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

‘In the house I was raised in, my papa naturally just provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would just buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it’s just ideal with the influence I have that I return too.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already 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 best to impress the manager and desire everyone to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being totally free and not being pushed about unfavorable 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 positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I unstoppable. And when you have people 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 be reluctant when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated 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 sensation like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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 associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might 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 reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who offers you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

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

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

‘I do not get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can’t assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. The first time he (Silva) heard ‘What’s Luv?’ he was simply vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin was like ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t comprehend 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 people who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but 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 disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely assisting us this season. We’ve been having team meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal 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 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 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 really good. It resembles one huge family.’

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

‘It reveals we have the capability to compete with anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ 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