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Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.
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'Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.

'My father's in the house and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't want to cut it off so I believed let's do something different that nobody else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that 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 stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football but has actually just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching 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 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 five objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch enhancement

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

This weekend, the 28 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 everything will be complimentary in a local supermarket.
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'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 be there on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.

'In your home I was raised in, my papa naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's only best with the influence I have that I return as well.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being totally free and not being pushed about unfavorable 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 great to reveal 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 last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best 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 first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune '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 state it's my finest start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make certain it's my best season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a manager who gives you the confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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?' which is explained 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 best start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing room but 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 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 understand the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said however he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the group - even individuals who don't speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however he was sacked four 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 joy has 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 assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a lot of togetherness, says 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 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), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. It resembles one big family.'

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

'It reveals we have the ability to compete with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi insists.
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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