Iwobi is finding his feet at Fulham after a return to the capital from Merseyside.
As someone who’s grafted to make a career in soccer, Fulham winger Alex Iwobi is used to training hard and Premier League match days for Arsenal, Everton and now Fulham. Although, that’s not where he gets all his kicks. When it comes to playing, enjoyment is at the forefront.
“I always like to entertain with the ball at my feet, whether that’s a skill or trying to score, especially with friends,” he tells me in an interview. “Professionally, you have to be a bit more serious. You have to try and win at all costs. Playing with my friends is where I feel most free.”
Iwobi, who completed a deal worth up to €25 million ($27 million) from Everton to mid-table Fulham in September, has experienced both edges to the Premier League. Breaking through at Arsenal, he showed his flair in an elite attacking setup under former coaches Arsène Wenger and Unai Emery. For struggling Everton, he was among the players scrapping to preserve Everton’s near 70-year stay in the top tier.
Back in London, where he grew up, Fulham will hope the 27-year-old—whose résumé includes an FA Cup winners medal, World Cup and Champions League knowhow and a stellar Europa League final goal—can bring both quality and grit as the club works to build on a 10th place league standing last term.
A fully-fledged Nigeria international with 63 appearances for his birth country, Iwobi doesn’t need to look far to find soccer inspiration. The forward says he admired Ronaldinho during the Brazilian’s days at Barcelona, but there have been few more entertaining Premier League players than his uncle, former midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha. Iwobi’s answer is clear when asked whether the former Bolton Wanderers magician has impacted his approach.
Iwobi’s uncle Okocha also represented Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahce and París Saint-Germain in … [+]
“100%. Especially growing up as a kid and having him as an idol, watching him, and him telling me to play with a smile on my face,” Iwobi responds. “I saw him enjoying football (soccer) with his flair and skills. So, I try and do the same, but in my style. Even off the field, he’s always advised me. And he’s someone who loves his fashion, too. I’ve bumped into him a couple of times when going shopping. He’s someone I look up to.”
The number 22, who swapped clubs on transfer deadline day, only remembers his childhood in the U.K. after leaving Nigeria as a young kid. He says he’s “always felt at home in England but more connected to the West-African nation”—having been raised in a Nigerian household in London, listening to Nigerian music and having Nigerian food. He speaks the nation’s primary language, much like broken English, but—to his regret—not his native tongue. His parents remind him when he visits his homeland.
Alongside soccer, music and fashion strike a chord with Iwobi. “I can literally use music to go through life,” he says. Even in my car—or when I wake up in the morning—there’s always music in the background. With fashion, especially nowadays, it represents who you are. And you can express yourself through clothes. As a kid, I couldn’t always have the clothes I wanted. Now I’m just in a comfortable position where I can.”
While being a Premier League regular is the dream for many around the globe, the spotlight brings some baggage. Amplified by online platforms, the criticism—as well as the buzz—surrounding sportspeople like Iwobi comes from all corners. In the attacker’s instance, he also plays in a globally popular competition with enviable viewing figures year after year.
“When you’re coming onto the scene and doing well, you see fans on social media and in the comments, and you want to see people hyping you up,” Iwobi adds. “I’ve also had the hate—that you’re not good enough. When I moved to Everton, there was a high fee (around €40 million or $42 million). Everyone said he costs so much and hasn’t done much. His value is way too high. I’ve seen it all. I’ve seen both sides. Now, I’m at an age where I don’t look at it anymore.
Iwobi has scored once for his team since arriving from Everton in September.
“At the same time, you want your fans to know what you’re like personally. And at the end of the day, I’m human—just like my fans. I post a bit (on social networks) to show I’m just a normal person.”
Relaxed and thoughtful in manner, Iwobi is. When statistics enter the frame, he isn’t. Of those who enter soccer academies aged nine in England and Wales, 99% don’t turn professional, according to The Professional Footballers’ Association, leaving some stranded and needing support—something fellow player Trent Alexander-Arnold is addressing.
So long the soccer pinnacle, top players and leagues across Europe are also coming to terms with the Saudi Arabian soccer boom, having seen dozens of stars leave the continent for cash-rich teams in the Gulf state over the summer. From the inside looking out, the change has been equally significant, not least in West London; had star striker Aleksandr not departed for Pro League powerhouse Al-Hilal, he would have been one of Iwobi’s teammates.
“There’s much more money,” Iwobi remarks. “I mean, there are more countries involved in the sport. With Saudi Arabia, if you wanted to go there before, it would be like, ‘What are you going there for?’ But many professionals are going there, so the league is probably getting more competitive now.
Mitrovic is among the names to have left England for Saudi Arabia, and there may be more in January.
“It’s good to see players getting better. Everyone is getting stronger and fitter. So, yeah, it (this campaign) will be much more entertaining than previous seasons. Who knows how it will continue to be? Especially this season for me in the Premier League, I don’t know what it will be like. You never know. I can’t tell you what it (the game) will be like soon.”
What he does know is the difference soccer makes to lives. Learning his trade in the capital, Iwobi played with people from various ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds. Through his charity, Project 17, Iwobi aims to integrate individuals—such as those in minority groups—into society through sport. In many ways, it reflects his attitudes and sense of identity.
“I’ve realized that it’s powerful and brings communities together,” he muses out loud. “Growing up, I didn’t have many people coming to my area to organize matches. If they did, I’m sure everyone would have attended—the same as they did for me.
“I want them to know I’m the same as them.”