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Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

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

'My dad's in your home and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't desire to suffice off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My father's accepted it now so I'm easy.'
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It's a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has just expressed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

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 contributed to his on-pitch enhancement

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut 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 home town, where whatever will be free in a regional grocery store.

'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an extreme 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 simply provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has motivated me to give to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only best with the impact I have that I give back as well.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best 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

Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the state of mind of like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released 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 might say it's my best start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who offers you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch 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 likewise a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the manager 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 was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated however he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the group - even the people who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' adds 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 again. Now that pleasure has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on in 2023

Iwobi will have his work cut out 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), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It resembles one big family.'

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

'It shows we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi firmly 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 space.

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