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 hairstyle has assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

'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 cut it off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since 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 plain 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 feeling like there's more to life than football however has actually only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just just recently that I've been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has 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 improvement

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It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teen who made his launching under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated as Fulham take on 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 regional supermarket.

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

'In your house I was raised in, my daddy naturally just provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has motivated me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's just best with the impact I have that I give back as well.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more goals 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 finest to impress the manager and want everybody to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it really 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 think twice 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 'best season in the Premier League up until now' 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 state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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?'

'I have been included in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it's my finest start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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 explained as a celebration 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 space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season given that 2003-04.

'I don't get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply 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 simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like '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 great feedback from the group - even the individuals who do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We've been having team 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 eliminated as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised a journey 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 prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little bit of complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually great. It's like one huge family.'

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

'It reveals we have the ability to complete with anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi firmly insists.