Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually helped his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now. ‘Yeah, that actually plays a part (in revealing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder says. ‘My daddy’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 wish to suffice off so I thought let’s do something various that nobody else has. I literally told the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My dad’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 insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has actually just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs 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 only just recently that I’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states. Alexi Iwobi has 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 enhancement It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 Town, his hometown, where whatever will be totally free in a local supermarket. ‘You understand what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an extreme video game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions. ‘In the home I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has motivated me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it’s only ideal with the influence I have that I offer back as well.’ Through these initiatives 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 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest. ‘As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and want everyone to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative comments. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says. ‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well 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.’ 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. 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 ended up being the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ ‘I have been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it’s my finest start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make certain it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a manager who offers you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says. Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is explained as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing mixed 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 since 2003-04. ‘I do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can’t help himself, Iwobi exposes. ‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. The 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 but he enjoyed 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 as well,’ adds Iwobi. Silva’s plan at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however 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 take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year. ‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely assisting us this season. We have actually been having group 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 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), 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 team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer desires to take us out. That’s another little complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually good. It resembles one big household.’ But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently 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 exact 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