Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually 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 views as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

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

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'My daddy's in your house and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't desire to cut it off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I literally 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 but 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 debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football but has only 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 fashion. But it's only just recently that I've 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 actually made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually contributed to his on-pitch enhancement

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teen 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 totally free in a regional supermarket.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally just offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually influenced me to give to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's only best with the impact I have that I return as well.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you wish to do your best to impress the manager and desire everyone to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're confident 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 actually plays a part.'

One of those people that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn't think twice when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' 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 constantly had the state of mind of sensation 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 actually been included in 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 finest season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who offers you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing blended 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 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 just 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 stated but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the group - even the individuals who don't speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder but he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip across 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 discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding which's brought a great deal 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), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another bit of free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It's like one big 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 had plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi insists.