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

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

'My papa's in the house and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I 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 told the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment however 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 always had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football however has only expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only recently that I've been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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 actually contributed to his on-pitch improvement

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

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out as Fulham handle 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 hometown, where everything will be free in a regional grocery store.

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

'In the house I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. 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 daddy are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just ideal with the impact 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 currently scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you desire to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everyone to know you are fully focused on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals 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 think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest 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 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 became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually 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 have to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to reveal' 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 very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained 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 room, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

'I do not 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 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 delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's plan at Everton was to build 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 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 uncovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal 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 take on 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 once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another bit of complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually great. It resembles 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 video game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.

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

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

FulhamAlex Iwobi