Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him

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

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

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'My daddy's in the home and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't want to suffice off so I believed let's do something different that no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My daddy's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

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 sensation like there's more to life than football however has only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just just recently that I've 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 best 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 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 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 totally free in a local 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 the home I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only right with the influence I have that I return too.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you desire to do your best to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it really 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 last week, 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 insists that he's always had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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 great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it's my best start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who offers 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 released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described 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 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 but 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 just vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't understand what was stated but he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder but 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 take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's mindset 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 and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva first 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 arranged a journey 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It's like one huge family.'

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently 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 anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi insists.