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Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually 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 in fact 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 bored and didn't wish to suffice off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I literally told 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 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 just revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply 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 states his multi-coloured braids have 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 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 understand what Liverpool resemble - 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 stresses.

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

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret 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 desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to understand you are fully focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League so far' and he concurs.

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

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been included in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it's my best start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who provides you the confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the 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?' which is explained as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing mixed 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 given 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 help himself, Iwobi exposes.

'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 understand the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the group - even individuals 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has been discovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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 organised a journey 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 team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another little totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly good. It resembles one big household.'

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually 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 capability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' 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
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