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Alex Iwobi is discussing 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 actually plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.

'My father'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 want to cut it off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to 'reveal 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 stark 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 feeling like there's more to life than football however has only revealed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable foundation, 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 have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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 stark contrast from the short-haired teen who made his launching under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated 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 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 the home I was raised in, my papa naturally just provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually inspired me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's only best with the influence I have that I return as well.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks 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 just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually plays a part.'

One of 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 in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the up until now' 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 mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football

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?'

'I have been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it's my best start to the season - I just need to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who offers you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

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 released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to 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 best start to a top-flight season considering that 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 help himself, Iwobi exposes.

'He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said 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 the people who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to build 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's state 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 and that's brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva first 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 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another little bit of free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really great. It's like one huge household.'

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

'It reveals we have the capability to contend with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi insists.
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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