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Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

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

'My father's in your house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't want to suffice off so I believed let's do something different that nobody else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My father's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

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 sensation like there's more to life than football but has just revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show people 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 states his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch enhancement

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 cut out 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 Town, his home town, where whatever will be free in a regional grocery store.

'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 tensions.

'In your home I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has motivated me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's just right with the impact I have that I give back as well.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks 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 two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
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'As a youngster you want to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League up until now' and he concurs.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
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Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune '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 state it's my best start to the season - I simply have 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 good to have a manager who offers you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the 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?' which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended 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 because 2003-04.

'I don't get it on in the dressing space but 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 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 understand the 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 great feedback from the group - even individuals who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to build 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 take a trip across 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 rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which's brought a lot of togetherness, states 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 trip 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 group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another little complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly great. It resembles one big family.'

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 game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
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'It reveals we have the ability to contend with anyone. 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 might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.

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