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

Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

'My dad's in your home and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't wish to cut it off so I thought let's do something different that nobody else has. I actually told the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My papa'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 firmly insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal 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 five objectives in 15 matches

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

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 whatever will be complimentary in a local supermarket.

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

'In the home I was raised in, my papa naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy 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 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 objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you want to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everyone to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity 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.

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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 mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it's my best start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who gives you the confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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?' which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap".

It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season given that 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 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 understand what was stated but he enjoyed 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 do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly 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 again. Now that happiness has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly helping us this season. We've been having team 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 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 arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little bit of free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually nice. It resembles one big household.'

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

'It reveals we have the ability to complete with anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi insists.