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 hairdo has assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

'My daddy'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 want to cut it off so I believed let's do something different that no one else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that 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 sensation like there's more to life than football but has only revealed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches

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

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 hometown, where whatever will be totally free in a local grocery store.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally simply provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually inspired me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only right with the influence I have that I return too.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently 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 youngster you desire to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everyone to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 be reluctant when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. 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

Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it's my best start to the season - I just need to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching 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 blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

It's likewise 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 don't get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the manager 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 stated it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated 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 do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes 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 hardly played him at all.

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

'Everyone's frame 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, 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 take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. 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 group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video 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 actually nice. It resembles one big family.'

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

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