Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him

Alex Iwobi is talking about the in his hair and how even his hairdo has assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

'Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.

'My daddy'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 thought let's do something various that no one else has. I actually 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 daddy's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually only expressed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching 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 revealing 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 5 objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch enhancement

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his launching 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 families for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his home town, where everything will be free in a regional supermarket.

'You understand what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an extreme game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.

'In your home 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 give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just right with the influence I have that I return too.'

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 goals than in any other season, with 5 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 best to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually plays a part.'

Among 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 last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest 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 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 very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it's my finest start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix 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 considering 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 assist himself, Iwobi exposes.

'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 very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated however 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 the individuals who don't speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding which's brought a great deal 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 eliminated as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised 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 seem like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It resembles one huge family.'

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' 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