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Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

'My papa's in your home and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't want to cut it off so I believed let's do something various that no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the minute 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 launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football however has only expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing 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've been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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

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

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut 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 everything will be totally free in a regional grocery store.

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

'In your house 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 provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually motivated me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just best with the influence I have that I return as well.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick 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 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have 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 almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually plays a part.'

Among 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' and he agrees.
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The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched 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 state it's my best start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who gives you the confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became 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?' which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined with Rap".

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

'I don't get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't help 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 simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said but he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the team - even the people who don't speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's plan 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 pleasure has been found after his ₤ 22M move last year.

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

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on in 2023
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Iwobi will have his work cut out as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
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'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 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 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another little bit of complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. It resembles one big family.'

But initially, 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 game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi