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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 hairstyle has actually helped his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My father’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 want to suffice off so I believed let’s do something various that no one else has. I actually told the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the moment but 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 always had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has actually just revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

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

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually added 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 eliminated as Fulham handle 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 whatever will be free in a local supermarket.

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

‘In your house I was raised in, my father naturally just provided back. To individuals 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 daddy are has actually motivated me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s only best with the impact I have that I offer back also.’

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

‘As a youngster you wish to do your best to impress the manager and desire everyone to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 think twice when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, 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 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 release a single with his launching song ‘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 actually been working well. You might state it’s my finest start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make certain it’s my best season. That’s the aim’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a supervisor who offers 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 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 likewise a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season since 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 help himself, Iwobi reveals.

‘He is tapping the supervisor 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 know the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was said however he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having good feedback from the group – even the individuals who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder but he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely 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 pleasure has been discovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that’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 eliminated as Fulham take on 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 feel like we’re all set to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little free food so I’m not grumbling,’ 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 last week and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola was full of credit for Fulham.

‘It reveals we have the ability to complete with anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ Iwobi 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