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

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

'My dad's in the home and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't wish to cut it off so I believed let's do something various that nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My papa's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football but has only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just just recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually 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 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 everything will be complimentary in a regional grocery store.

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

'In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and give them to . 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 am in, I seem like it's just best with the impact I have that I offer 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 five in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed 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 confident and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it really 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League so far' and he agrees.

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

Iwobi insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling 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 launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it's my finest start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make certain it's my best season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who offers you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching 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 blended with Rap".

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

'I do not get it on in the dressing space however 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 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 understand what was stated but he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the team - even the individuals who do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes 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 take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely assisting us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which's brought a great deal 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 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 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 prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another bit of complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually great. It resembles one huge 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 video game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.

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

FulhamAlex Iwobi