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Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he sees 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.
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'My daddy's in your house and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't want to cut it off so I thought let's do something different that nobody else has. I actually told the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the minute however 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 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 only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

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

has made his best start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches

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

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

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated 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 complimentary in a local supermarket.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just best with the impact I have that I provide back as well.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually plays a part.'

One of those individuals 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 in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League so far' and he agrees.

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

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the mindset of sensation 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 tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been associated with a lot of objectives, 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 ensure it's my finest season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who gives 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 launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described as a celebration 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 space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season given that 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't assist himself, Iwobi exposes.

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

Silva's strategy 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly helping us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which's brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially 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 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another bit of free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly good. It resembles one big household.'

But first, 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 plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same versus 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi
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