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

'Yeah, that really plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
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'My dad's in your home and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't wish to suffice off so I thought let's do something different that no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My dad'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 firmly insists that he's constantly had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually only revealed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just just recently that I've been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal people 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 contributed to his on-pitch improvement

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 households for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his home town, where everything will be totally free in a regional supermarket.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's only ideal with the influence I have that I return also.'

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 five in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you want to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to know you are totally focused on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed about . If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong mentally. Players do well 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 truly 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 versus Brighton recently, Silva said 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 mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football

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?'

'I have actually been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it's my finest start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the objective' states 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 states.

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

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

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

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. The very 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 know the first time he didn't understand what was stated but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the group - 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 develop 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding which'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 journey 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 organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little bit of totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually nice. It's like one huge family.'

But initially, 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 plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same versus 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi
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