This company has no active jobs
About Us
Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.
‘Yeah, that actually plays a part (in revealing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder states.
‘My daddy’s in your home and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t wish to cut it off so I believed let’s do something various that nobody else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the moment however I like it. My dad’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 always had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has actually just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.
‘It’s always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s 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 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 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 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 local grocery store.
‘You understand what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an extreme video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.
‘In the home I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply returned. To people 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 father are has actually motivated me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the I am in, I seem like it’s only right with the impact I have that I provide back also.’
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
‘As a youngster you want to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed 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 positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘best 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 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 launch a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’
‘I have been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it’s my best start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who offers you the self-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 tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as a celebration 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 space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season considering 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 help himself, Iwobi exposes.
‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. 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 know the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was said however he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.
‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having great feedback from the team – even the people who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ adds Iwobi.
Silva’s plan 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 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 pleasure has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely helping us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a lot of togetherness, says Iwobi.
Marco Silva first 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 journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’
Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another bit of complimentary food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really good. It resembles one big family.’
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
‘It shows we have the capability to contend with anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ 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
