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Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.
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'Yeah, that really plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.

'My dad'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 want to suffice off so I believed let's do something different that nobody else has. I literally told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My father'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 insists that he's always had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually only expressed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches

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

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired who made his launching under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out as Fulham handle 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 game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.

'In your home I was raised in, my father naturally just offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just ideal with the impact I have that I give back 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 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everybody to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' and he agrees.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the state of mind of feeling 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 been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it's my best start to the season - I just need to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune '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 blended with Rap".

It's likewise a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing room, 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 assist himself, Iwobi exposes.

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. The first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He stated it wasn't bad. I understand the first time he didn't understand what was said however he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely 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 once again. Now that delight has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding which's brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on 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 arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel 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 video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another bit of totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly good. It resembles one huge household.'

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

'It reveals we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi insists.
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Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi
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