Iwobi Open 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 assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League 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 probably 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 various that nobody else has. I literally told the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the minute but 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 but has only revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's always been my pastime 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 reveal individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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

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

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

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated 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 home town, where whatever will be totally free in a local supermarket.

'You understand what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an intense video game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.

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

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more objectives 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 finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel . And when you have individuals that back you, it truly 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 be reluctant 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 'best season in the Premier League so far' 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 constantly had the mindset 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 included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it's my best start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who provides you the confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

It's likewise 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 space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was just vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He stated it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't understand what was said but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's plan at Everton was to develop 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 again. Now that delight has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We've been having team 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 eat. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team 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 complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly great. It's like one huge family.'

But initially, 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 plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the ability to complete with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi