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 finest start to a Premier League season so far.
‘Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in expressing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder states.
‘My papa’s in your house and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t want to cut it off so I believed let’s do something different that nobody else has. I literally told the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the minute however I like it. My daddy’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 frame of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.
‘It’s always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s 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 actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with five objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch enhancement
It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired teen 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 local supermarket.
‘You know what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an extreme game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.
‘In your house I was raised in, my papa naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just best with the impact I have that I return also.’
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more objectives 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 youngster you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everyone to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.
‘You need to be strong psychologically. 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 actually 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 think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. 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 families 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 became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’
‘I have been included in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it’s my finest start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to himself. ‘It’s good to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching song ‘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 combined with Rap”.
It’s also a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season given 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 help himself, Iwobi reveals.
‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. 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 stated it wasn’t bad. I know the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was said but 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 don’t speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ includes Iwobi.
Silva’s strategy 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 disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a lot of togetherness, states 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 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 feel like we’re ready to fly and we can do anything together.’
Another group 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 complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really good. It’s like one big household.’
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly 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 frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ 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