Iwobi Open 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 hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he views 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 father’s in your house and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t desire to suffice off so I thought let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My daddy’s accepted it now so I’m simple.’
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 constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has actually just revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.
‘It’s always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s just just recently that I’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually added 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 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 totally 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 be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi .
‘In your house I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually motivated me to give to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s just best with the impact I have that I return as well.’
Through these initiatives 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 five in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
‘As a child you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s useful, 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 individuals that back you, it truly 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 versus Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League so far’ and he agrees.
The 28-year-old will feed 100 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
Iwobi firmly insists that he’s always had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi became 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?’
‘I have been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it’s my best start to the season – I just have to keep it going and make sure it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a supervisor who provides you the confidence to do that,’ he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune ‘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 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 considering that 2003-04.
‘I do not get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can’t help 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 simply 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 comprehend what was said but he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.
‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having good feedback from the team – even the individuals who do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.
Silva’s strategy 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that joy has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly helping us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which’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 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 arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back 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 arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another bit of free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really good. It resembles one huge family.’
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and directly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.
‘It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ Iwobi firmly insists.
Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot’s league-leaders might well be hearing ‘What’s Luv’ blasting out from the away dressing space.
FulhamAlex Iwobi