Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.
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'Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.

'My papa'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 believed let's do something various that nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My dad's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

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

Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has actually just expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable structure, 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 show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch enhancement

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 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 whatever will be free in a regional supermarket.

'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an extreme video game but whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.

'In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally just gave back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people 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 provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's only best with the impact I have that I return too.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more objectives than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (freedom) features age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it's constructive, 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 positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually 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 versus Brighton last week, Silva said 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 became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

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

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 released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing blended 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 since 2003-04.

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

'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 said it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated but he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the team - even individuals who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' adds Iwobi.
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Silva's plan at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly 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 again. Now that joy has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
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'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely 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 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 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 all set 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 wishes to take us out. That's another bit of free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It resembles one huge family.'

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently 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 ability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the same against 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi