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Something About Company

Iwobi Opens up 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 hairstyle has actually helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

‘Yeah, that really plays a part (in revealing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder states.

‘My papa’s in your home 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 different that no one else has. I literally told the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the moment 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 launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he’s constantly had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has actually just expressed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only 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 says.

Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch improvement

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 hometown, where whatever will be free in a local supermarket.

‘You know what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an intense game but whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.

‘In the home I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to . Seeing how my mum and dad are has inspired me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it’s just ideal with the impact I have that I provide back as well.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently 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 child you want to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everyone to know you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) features age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really plays a part.’

Among 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest 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 firmly insists that he’s constantly had the frame of mind of sensation 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 launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it’s my finest start to the season – I just need to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the aim’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a supervisor who gives you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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 an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap”.

It’s likewise a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing room, 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 just can’t help himself, Iwobi reveals.

‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The very first time he (Silva) heard ‘What’s Luv?’ he was just vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin was like ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I understand 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 group – even the people who don’t speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has been found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely 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 on 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 arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned 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 group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really good. It resembles one huge family.’

But initially, 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 game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ Iwobi firmly insists.