Alex Iwobi is talking 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.
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'Yeah, that actually plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
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'My dad's in your house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't wish to suffice off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I literally told 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 but I like it. My papa'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 firmly insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has actually just expressed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not simply a . There is more to life, he states.

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

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have contributed 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 families for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where everything will be free in a local grocery store.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my papa naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually motivated me to give to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just best with the impact I have that I provide back too.'

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

'As a child you want to do your best to impress the manager and want everybody to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly 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 hesitate 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 Premier League so far' and he agrees.

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

Iwobi insists that he's always had the frame of mind 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 tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it's my best start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make certain it's my best season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who gives you the confidence to do that,' he says.

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 mix of Afro-Swing combined with Rap".

It's likewise a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.

'I don't get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help himself, Iwobi exposes.

'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 was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't understand what was stated but he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

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

Iwobi would take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially 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 consume. We organised a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel 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 games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly great. It's like one huge family.'

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

'It shows we have the capability to compete with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus 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 room.

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