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

Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My papa’s in your home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t wish to cut it off so I thought let’s do something different that no one else has. I literally told the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild because 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 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 frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has only expressed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly 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 show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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 actually contributed 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 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 hometown, where everything will be totally free in a regional supermarket.

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

‘In your house I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually motivated 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 impact I have that I provide back too.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently 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 wish to do your best to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘best season in the Premier League up until now’ and he concurs.

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

Iwobi insists that he’s constantly had the frame of mind of sensation 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 launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say 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 goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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?’ which is referred to as an event 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 finest start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.

‘I do not get it on in the dressing room 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 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 delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having good feedback from the team – even the people who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has been found after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s state of mind 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 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 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer desires to take us out. That’s another bit of free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really great. 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 video game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not terrified. 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi