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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 views as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.
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'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
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'My daddy's in the house 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 thought let's do something various that no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My papa's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

It's a plain 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 state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has only expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, work and things in style. But it's only recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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

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

It's a plain 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 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 local grocery store.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my daddy naturally just provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has influenced me to give to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's just ideal with the impact I have that I offer back too.'

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

'As a youngster you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually plays a part.'

Among those individuals 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest 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 insists that he's constantly had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football

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

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

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the 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?' which is explained as a celebration 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 since 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 assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. The very 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 however 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 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 take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's frame 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 which's brought a lot 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 handle 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), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group 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 little bit of totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. It resembles one huge family.'

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

'It shows we have the ability to complete with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' 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
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