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Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has his football in what he sees as his best 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 says.

'My dad's in your house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't wish to cut it off so I thought let's do something different that nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My daddy'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 state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.
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'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only recently that I've been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 goals 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 launching 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 free in a local grocery store.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually motivated me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only ideal with the influence I have that I offer back as well.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes 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 two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everyone to know you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best 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
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Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the frame 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 launch a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have 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 just need to keep it going and ensure it's my best season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who provides you the 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 an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined with Rap".

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

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

'He is tapping the supervisor 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 said it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't understand what was said but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely played him at all.

Iwobi would travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's state 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 lot of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on in 2023

Iwobi will have his work cut out 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 trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another bit of complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly great. It resembles one huge household.'

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having 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 ability to contend with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.

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