Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season so far.
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'Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
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'My father's in the house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't desire to suffice off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My dad's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

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 actually just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable foundation, 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 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 five objectives in 15 matches

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

It's a plain 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 Canning Town, his hometown, where everything will be totally free in a local supermarket.

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

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

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already 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 youngster you desire to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everybody to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 against Brighton last week, Silva said 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 constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football

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

'I have been involved in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it's my best start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and make certain it's my best season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who offers 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 tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described as an event 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 given that 2003-04.

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

'He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was just 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 comprehend what was said however he enjoyed 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 mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' includes Iwobi.

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

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly helping us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which'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 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 organised a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little bit of totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. It resembles one big family.'

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently 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 anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact 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 might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.

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