Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually helped 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 expressing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder states.
‘My dad’s in your house and he’s most likely 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 various that no one else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My dad’s accepted it now so I’m simple.’
It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi firmly insists that he’s always had the frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has just expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.
‘It’s constantly been my pastime 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 people 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 five objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually 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 take on 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 regional grocery store.
‘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 be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.
‘In the house I was raised in, my father naturally just provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually motivated me to give to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. 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 thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
‘As a child you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to know you are fully focused on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s positive, 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 people 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, 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 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
Iwobi firmly insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’
‘I have actually been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it’s my finest start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the aim’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who provides you the confidence to do that,’ he states.
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 launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined with Rap”.
It’s likewise a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing space, 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 help himself, Iwobi exposes.
‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The first time he (Silva) heard ‘What’s Luv?’ he was just vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said it wasn’t bad. I know the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was said however he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.
‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having excellent feedback from the team – even the people who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ includes Iwobi.
Silva’s strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder however he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly played him at all.
Iwobi would travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.
‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We’ve been having team meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal 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 cut out as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went 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 organised 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 little bit of free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly good. It resembles one huge family.’
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 was full of credit for Fulham.
‘It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ Iwobi insists.
Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot’s league-leaders might well be hearing ‘What’s Luv’ blasting out from the away dressing room.
FulhamAlex Iwobi