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Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.
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'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
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'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 various that no one else has. I literally told the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My daddy's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football but has actually only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply 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 says his multi-coloured braids have actually contributed 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 handle 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 complimentary in a local supermarket.

'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an extreme game but whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.

'In your house I was raised in, my father naturally simply gave 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 papa are has actually influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only best with the influence I have that I return as well.'

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

'As a child you desire to do your finest to impress the manager and want everybody to understand you are completely on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals 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 versus Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League up until now' and he agrees.

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

Iwobi firmly 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 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?'

'I have actually been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state 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 objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who provides you the confidence to do that,' he states.

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

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

'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 stated it wasn't bad. I know the first time he didn't comprehend what was stated however he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's plan at Everton was to build 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding which'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), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven 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 really nice. It resembles one huge family.'

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and directly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi