Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him

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Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually helped his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

'My papa'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 wish to cut it off so I thought let's do something different that no one else has. I literally told the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My daddy's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football however has just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not just 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 says his multi-coloured braids have 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 cut out 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 home town, where whatever will be complimentary in a local supermarket.

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

'In your house I was raised in, my daddy naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's only ideal with the impact I have that I offer back too.'

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 just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling great to express 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 people 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 against Brighton recently, 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 households 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 very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released 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 might say it's my best start to the season - I just need to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a manager who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became 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 described as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined 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 however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't help himself, Iwobi exposes.

'He is tapping the manager 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 understand what was said however he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's plan at Everton was to develop 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 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 actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely assisting us this season. We've been having team 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 consume. We organised a trip 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

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

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 plenty of credit for Fulham.

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