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

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

'My daddy's in your house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't desire to suffice off so I believed let's do something different that nobody else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment 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 insists that he's always had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals 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 5 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 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 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 totally free in a regional supermarket.

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

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

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already 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 child you wish to do your best to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost 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 be reluctant when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' and he concurs.

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 state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been included in 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 have to keep it going and make certain it's my finest 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 self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release 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 with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season given that 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 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 comprehend what was stated but he enjoyed 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 mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to construct 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding which's brought a lot 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 organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another bit of free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly good. It resembles one big family.'

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola was full of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi