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Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.
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'Yeah, that actually plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.

'My dad's in your home and he's probably 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 hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My father'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 constantly had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football however has only expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

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

Alexi Iwobi has actually 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 contributed to his on-pitch improvement

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his launching under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated as Fulham take on 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 hometown, where whatever will be complimentary in a local grocery store.

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

'In your house I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has motivated me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's just ideal with the influence I have that I give back also.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more goals than in any other season, with five 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 focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

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

Among those individuals that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at 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 agrees.

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

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the state of mind 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 actually been included in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could 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' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a manager who offers you the confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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?' which is referred to 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 space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season considering 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 exposes.

'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 was like 'yes it's Alex!' He stated it wasn't bad. I know 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 group - even individuals who don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's strategy 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has actually been found after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly helping us this season. We have actually been having group 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 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 eat. 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 seem 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 three video games in 7 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 really good. It's like 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 plenty of credit for Fulham.

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