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Iwobi Open 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 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 expressing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder states.

‘My father’s in your home and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t wish to cut it off so I believed let’s do something various that no one else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the minute however I like it. My father’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 firmly insists that he’s always had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has just expressed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only just recently that I have actually 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 best 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 stark 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 hometown, where everything will be free in a regional supermarket.

‘You understand what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an intense video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.

‘In your house I was raised in, my papa naturally just gave back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would just of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually inspired me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s just ideal with the impact I have that I return too.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more objectives than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a child you desire to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everybody to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to express 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘best 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 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 ended up being the 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 great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it’s my best start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make certain it’s my finest season. That’s the aim’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ 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 debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is described 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 room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

‘I don’t get it on in the dressing space however 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 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 said it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was said but he took pleasure in 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 very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to build 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 take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly assisting us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which’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 cut out 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 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group 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 little bit of free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly great. It resembles one big household.’

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

‘It shows we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ Iwobi insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot’s league-leaders may well be hearing ‘What’s Luv’ blasting out from the away dressing room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi