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

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

'My papa's in the house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't wish to cut it off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I literally told the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My father'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 insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has just revealed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches

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

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 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 hometown, where everything will be free in a local grocery store.

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

'In the home I was raised in, my dad naturally simply offered back. To people 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 dad are has inspired me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just right with the influence I have that I provide back as well.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more objectives than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you desire to do your best to impress the manager and desire everyone to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually plays a part.'
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Among 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest 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 launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been involved in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it's my best start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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?' which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined 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 considering 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 manager to listen to the song. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was just vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand 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 good feedback from the team - even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' 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 hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has been found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
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'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which's brought a lot of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later in 2023
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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 eat. We arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven 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 truly good. It resembles one huge family.'

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

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

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

FulhamAlex Iwobi