Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him
Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.
‘Yeah, that actually plays a part (in revealing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder says.
‘My dad’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 cut it off so I believed let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the moment however I like it. My father’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’
It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi insists that he’s always had the frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has actually only revealed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs 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 just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches
The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch improvement
It’s a plain 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 hometown, where whatever will be complimentary in a regional grocery store.
‘You know what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an intense video game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.
‘In your house I was raised in, my papa naturally just offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually influenced me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s only ideal with the influence I have that I give back also.’
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
‘As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.
‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it really 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 last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘best season in the Premier League up until now’ 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 constantly had the frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football
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 released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’
‘I have been included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it’s my best start to the season – I simply have 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 good to have a manager who offers you the confidence to do that,’ he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to a single with his debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is described as a celebration 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 space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.
‘I don’t 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 was like ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said it wasn’t bad. I know the first time he didn’t understand what was stated but he took pleasure in the beat. So it’s a win-win.
‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having good feedback from the team – even individuals who do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ adds Iwobi.
Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We have actually been having team 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 eliminated as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We organised a trip 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 prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’
Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another little complimentary food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually nice. It’s like one huge household.’
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 game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.
‘It reveals we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the 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