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Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him

Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has assisted his in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My daddy’s in the 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 nobody else has. I literally told the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My papa’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 firmly insists that he’s constantly had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has actually just revealed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and releasing 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 have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have 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 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 free in a regional grocery store.

‘You know what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an extreme video 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 daddy naturally just provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would just buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually influenced me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just best with the influence I have that I provide back as well.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes 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 simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a child you desire to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everyone to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it’s useful, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually plays a part.’

One of those individuals 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 last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, 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 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s constantly had the frame 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 debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it’s my finest start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and make certain it’s my best season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a manager who provides 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 tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended 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 since 2003-04.

‘I don’t get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can’t help himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘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 know the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated however he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having excellent feedback from the team – even individuals who do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s plan 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 throughout 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 found after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a great deal of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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), returned 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 group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes 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’s like one big family.’

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

‘It reveals we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ 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