Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him

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

'Yeah, that in fact 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 bored and didn't want to suffice off so I believed let's do something various that no one else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to 'express 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 easy.'

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 frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has actually only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly 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 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 actually added to his on-pitch enhancement

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 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 home town, where whatever will be totally free in a regional grocery store.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally simply provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's just ideal with the influence I have that I offer back also.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick 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 just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everyone to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva said 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 firmly insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it's my finest start to the season - I just need to keep it going and ensure it's my best season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who offers you the confidence to do that,' he states.

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?' which is explained as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed 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 considering that 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing space but 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 resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't understand what was said however he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the group - even the people who don't speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' adds 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 hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's state 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 which's brought a great deal 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 consume. We arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little bit of free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It resembles one big 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 game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the capability to complete with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi firmly insists.