Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him

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

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

'My dad's in your home and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't desire to cut it off so I believed 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 due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My daddy'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 insists that he's always had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually only expressed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's always been my hobby to do music, work and things in style. But it's only 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 finest start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have added 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 eliminated 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 everything will be totally free in a regional supermarket.

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

'In the home I was raised in, my father naturally simply offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just ideal with the influence I have that I provide back as well.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more objectives 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 child you wish to do your best to impress the manager and want everybody to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well 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 actually plays a part.'

One of 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 recently, 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 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 launch a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been associated with a lot of objectives, 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 best season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who provides 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 launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined 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 do not get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He stated 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 good feedback from the team - even the people who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' 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 barely played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a lot 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 eat. We arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants 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's like 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 lots of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the capability to contend with anybody. We are not terrified. 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi