Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have 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 views as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

'My daddy's in the house and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't wish to cut it off so I believed let's do something different that no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My papa'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 firmly insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football but has just expressed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. 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 states.

Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch enhancement

It's a stark 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 totally free in a local supermarket.

'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an intense video game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.

'In your house I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has motivated me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just ideal with the impact I have that I return as well.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently 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 wish to do your best to impress the manager and want everyone to understand you are fully focused on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically 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 think twice 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 up until now' and he agrees.

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

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the state 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 associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it's my finest start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap".

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

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

'He is tapping the supervisor 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 stated it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated 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 individuals who don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to construct around the midfielder but 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 across 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 relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding and that'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 eliminated 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 journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went 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 organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly great. It's like one huge family.'

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and directly 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 contend with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi firmly insists.