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 hairstyle has actually assisted his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.
‘Yeah, that really plays a part (in revealing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder states.
‘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 various that nobody else has. I literally told the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ however 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 easy.’
It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi firmly insists that he’s constantly had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has actually just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.
‘It’s constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only recently that I have actually 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 actually made his best start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually 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 cut out as Fulham handle 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 home town, where whatever will be totally free in a regional supermarket.
‘You understand what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an extreme video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.
‘In your house I was raised in, my papa naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would just buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s just ideal with the impact I have that I give back 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 goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
‘As a youngster you want to do your best to impress the manager and desire everyone to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.
‘You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to reveal 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 people that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn’t be reluctant when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘best season in the League so far’ and he concurs.
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 mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’
‘I have been involved in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it’s my finest start to the season – I just have to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a supervisor who provides you the confidence to do that,’ he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is explained as an event 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 best start to a top-flight season because 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 manager 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 understand the first time he didn’t understand what was stated but he enjoyed 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 mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ adds Iwobi.
Silva’s strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder but 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 take a trip across 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 relocation last year.
‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely assisting us this season. We’ve been having team meals and bonding which’s brought a lot of togetherness, says 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 take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned 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 team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually great. It resembles one big family.’
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
‘It shows we have the capability to compete with anybody. 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
