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Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually helped 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 expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.

'My dad's in your house and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't want to suffice off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My daddy'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 frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has only revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and introducing 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 expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 goals 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 teen 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 free in a local grocery store.

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

'In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally just provided back. To people 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 actually inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's only right with the influence I have that I offer back also.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more goals than in any other season, with five 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 finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are fully focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being totally free and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.
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'You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling confident 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 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League so far' and he agrees.

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

Iwobi insists that he's always had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football

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?'

'I have been in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it's my finest start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and ensure it's my best season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

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?' which is explained as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap".

It's likewise a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their finest 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 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 understand what was said but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the team - even individuals who don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder however he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely played him at all.

Iwobi would travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that joy has been found after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding which's brought a great deal of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva first 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 arranged 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 seem like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'
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Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little bit of free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really nice. It resembles one huge family.'
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But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually 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 capability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi