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 helped his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.
‘Yeah, that in fact 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 wish to cut it off so I thought let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute however 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 debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi insists that he’s always had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.
‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s just just recently that I’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
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 enhancement
It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut under Arsene Wenger
This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out 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 Canning Town, his hometown, where whatever will be complimentary in a regional grocery store.
‘You understand what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an intense video game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.
‘In your home I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has inspired me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s only best with the impact I have that I return as well.’
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
‘As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to know you are completely focused on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.
‘You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly 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 think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘best season in the Premier League so far’ and he concurs.
The 28 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 became the very 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 actually been involved in a lot 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 just have to keep it going and make sure it’s my best season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who provides you the confidence to do that,’ he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the 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 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 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 assist himself, Iwobi exposes.
‘He is tapping the manager 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 stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated but he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.
‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having great feedback from the group – even the individuals who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ includes Iwobi.
Silva’s plan at Everton was to build 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has actually been discovered 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’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 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 eat. We arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’
Another group meal is arranged 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 bit of totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really great. It resembles 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 had plenty of credit for Fulham.
‘It shows we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ Iwobi firmly 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
