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Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has helped his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

'Yeah, that really 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 coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't desire to cut it off so I believed let's do something different that nobody else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute 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 always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football however has only expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

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

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually contributed to his on-pitch improvement

It's a stark 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 whatever will be free in a local supermarket.
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'You know 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 stresses.

'In your house I was raised in, my father naturally just . To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually motivated me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it's only right with the impact I have that I return also.'
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Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already 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 want to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everybody to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best 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 insists that he's always had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football

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 launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been involved in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it's my finest start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make sure 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 supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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?' which is explained as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season since 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 manager to listen to the tune. 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 said it wasn't bad. I understand the first time he didn't comprehend what was said however he took pleasure 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 too,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's strategy 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 hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that'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 take on 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 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 games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another bit of complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It resembles one big household.'

But first, 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.
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'It reveals we have the ability to contend with anybody. We are not scared. 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi