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Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.
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'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.

'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 wish to cut it off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute 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 constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only just 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 states.

Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with five objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch improvement

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

This weekend, the 28 will have his work cut out 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 home town, where everything will be totally free in a local supermarket.

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

'In the house I was raised in, my father naturally just provided back. To people 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 father are has actually motivated me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's only right with the impact I have that I return also.'

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

'As a child you wish to do your best to impress the manager and want everybody to understand you are fully focused on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly 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 think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best 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 firmly insists that he's always had the frame of mind 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 launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it's my finest start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

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 launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap".

It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't help himself, Iwobi exposes.

'He is tapping the manager to listen to the song. 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 however he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding and that'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 handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is arranged 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 totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly good. It's like one big household.'

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

'It reveals we have the capability to complete with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi
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