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

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

'My father's in your home and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't wish to suffice off so I believed let's do something various that no one else has. I literally told the hairdresser to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment but 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 debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he's always had the state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has actually just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly 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 individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches

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

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 as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and on Sunday, he will be back in London feeding 100 households for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where whatever will be free in a regional supermarket.

'You understand what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.

'In your home I was raised in, my daddy naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually motivated me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just best with the impact I have that I return as well.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already 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 wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly plays a part.'
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One of those people 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 last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest 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 constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football
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Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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?'

'I have actually been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it's my finest start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing 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 became the 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 mix of Afro-Swing mixed 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 since 2003-04.

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

'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 understand the very first time he didn't understand what was stated however he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder however he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that joy has actually been found after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding and that's brought a lot of togetherness, says 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 consume. We organised a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel 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 games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly great. It's like one big household.'

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 compete with anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi firmly insists.

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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