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

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

'My dad's in your house and he's probably 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 nobody else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because 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 debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has just revealed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

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

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

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut 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 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 regional grocery store.

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

'In the house I was raised in, my papa naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually motivated me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's only right with the impact I have that I return also.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more goals 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 child you want to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed 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 individuals that back you, it truly plays a part.'

One of 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League so far' and he concurs.

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

'I have been included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it's my finest start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who offers 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 tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a mix 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 since 2003-04.

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

'He is tapping the supervisor 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 stated it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't understand what was stated however he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the team - even individuals who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's plan 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely assisting us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, says 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 take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We organised a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back 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 video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another bit of totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really good. It's like one big family.'

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

'It reveals we have the capability to contend with anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' 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