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

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

‘My father’s in your house and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t desire to cut it off so I believed let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually told the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute however I like it. My daddy’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 always had the frame of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only recently that I have actually been myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has 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
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It’s a plain 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 handle 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 everything will be complimentary in a local supermarket.

‘You know what Liverpool resemble - it’s going to be an intense video 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 simply returned. To people 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 daddy are has motivated me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s just best with the impact I have that I provide back as well.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently 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 want to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s constructive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really plays a part.’

Among 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ 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 always had the mindset 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 released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it’s my best start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make certain it’s my best season. That’s the aim’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a supervisor who gives you the confidence to do that,’ he says.
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Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched 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 room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season considering that 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 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 resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t understand 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 team - even the individuals who don’t speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to construct 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 once again. Now that delight has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly helping us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially 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 consume. We arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we’re prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is arranged 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 bit of complimentary food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually nice. It resembles one huge household.’

But initially, 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 lots of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ 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.

FulhamAlex Iwobi