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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 helped his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My daddy’s in the home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t wish to off so I believed let’s do something different that nobody else has. I literally told 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 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 state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has actually just revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. 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 actually made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch improvement

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 whatever will be totally free in a regional grocery store.

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

‘In your house I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply gave back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually influenced me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s just ideal with the impact I have that I return 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 just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s constructive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually 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 be reluctant when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League so far’ and he agrees.

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 feeling 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 been involved in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it’s my best start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and make sure it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune ‘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 mix of Afro-Swing combined with Rap”.

It’s also 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 space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can’t assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

‘He is tapping the manager 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 resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the very 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 great feedback from the team – even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to construct 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a great deal 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 handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we’re ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another bit of totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really great. It’s like one huge household.’

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

‘It reveals we have the capability to complete with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same against 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