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Iwobi Opens up 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 views as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My papa’s in the house and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t desire to suffice off so I believed let’s do something various that nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My papa’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 always had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has actually just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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

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

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired teen who made his launching under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated 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 home town, where whatever will be totally free in a regional supermarket.

‘You know what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an extreme video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.

‘In your home I was raised in, my father naturally simply gave back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has motivated me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s only ideal with the influence I have that I return 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 goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s constructive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually 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 be reluctant when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton recently, 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 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

that he’s constantly had the state 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 launch a single with his debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been included in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it’s my finest start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the aim’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a supervisor who gives you the confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend 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 given that 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 tune. The very 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 understand the first time he didn’t understand what was said however he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

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

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely 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 again. Now that pleasure has actually been found after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

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

Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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 consume. We arranged a trip 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 prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another little bit of totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly great. It resembles one big 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 had lots of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows we have the ability to contend with anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi