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

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

'My father's in the house 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 thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My dad's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
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Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has actually only revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with five objectives 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 teen who made his launching under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out 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 totally free in a regional grocery store.

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

'In the home I was raised in, my dad naturally just offered back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the I remain in, I feel like it's just right with the influence I have that I return too.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has 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.
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'As a child you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everyone to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling confident 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 individuals 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 stated it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League up until now' and he concurs.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
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Iwobi firmly insists that he's always 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 been associated with a lot of objectives, 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 best season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a manager who offers you the confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined with Rap".

It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing room 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 song. The first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was just vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the very 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 great feedback from the team - even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's strategy 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 barely played him at all.

Iwobi would travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has been found after his ₤ 22M move last year.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely assisting us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal 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 eat. We arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back 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 team 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 little totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. 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 lots of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the capability to contend with anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi