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

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

‘My dad’s in the home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t wish to suffice off so I believed let’s do something different that no one else has. I literally told the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My daddy’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

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 state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has actually only expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

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

Alexi Iwobi has 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 stark 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 households 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 complimentary in a local grocery store.

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

‘In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally simply provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s only 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 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 youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it’s constructive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need 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 actually plays a part.’

Among 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 against recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘best season in the Premier League so far’ and he concurs.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s constantly had the mindset of feeling 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 launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it’s my finest start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and make sure it’s my best season. That’s the aim’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a supervisor who gives you the confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became 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 referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined 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 given that 2003-04.

‘I do not get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just 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 understand the very first time he didn’t understand what was stated however he took pleasure in 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,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to build 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 take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely helping us this season. We’ve been having team meals and bonding which’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 cut out as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went 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 organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really nice. It’s like one big family.’

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

‘It reveals we have the ability to complete with anyone. We are not scared. 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