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Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has helped his football in what he views as his best start to a season up until now.

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

'My father'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 desire to suffice off so I thought let's do something different that nobody else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment however 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 debut 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 just revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just recently that I have actually 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 goals in 15 matches

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

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 eliminated 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 home town, where whatever will be free in a local grocery store.

'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an intense video game however 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 just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually motivated me to give to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's only best with the influence I have that I return also.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more goals 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 youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually 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 think twice when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League so far' and he concurs.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he's always 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 launch a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it's my finest start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became 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?' which is described as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing blended 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 since 2003-04.

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

'He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The 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 stated it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated but he delighted 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 don't speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes 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 take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding which's brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva first 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 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 feel 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 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another bit of free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really great. It's like one big household.'

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

'It reveals we have the ability to contend with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi firmly insists.

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

FulhamAlex Iwobi