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 hairdo has 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 says.
‘My daddy’s in the home and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t want to suffice off so I believed let’s do something various that nobody else has. I actually told the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the minute however I like it. My papa’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 always had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.
‘It’s constantly 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 reveal people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually added 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 cut out 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 everything will be free in a regional 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 stresses.
‘In the house I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To individuals 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 papa are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s only best with the influence I have that I return 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 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 want to do your best to the manager and want everyone to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s constructive, 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 people that back you, it really 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 in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League so far’ and he concurs.
The 28-year-old will feed 100 families 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 became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’
‘I have been involved in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it’s my finest start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and make sure it’s my best season. That’s the objective’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a manager who provides you the confidence to do that,’ he states.
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 launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined with Rap”.
It’s also 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 but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can’t assist himself, Iwobi reveals.
‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The 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 understand the first time he didn’t understand what was stated however he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.
‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having great feedback from the group – even individuals who don’t speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.
Silva’s plan 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 take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has actually been found after his ₤ 22M move last year.
‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a great deal of togetherness, says Iwobi.
Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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 again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re all set to fly and we can do anything together.’
Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another little free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really good. It resembles one big household.’
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and directly 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 complete with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ 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
