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

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

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

'My father's in your house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't wish to suffice off so I believed let's do something various that nobody else has. I literally told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My dad's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

It's a plain 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 just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

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

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

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

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated 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 everything will be complimentary in a regional grocery store.

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

'In the house I was raised in, my father naturally simply offered back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would simply buy 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 fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just right 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 already scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

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

Among 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 chance 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 agrees.

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 launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it's my best start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who gives you the 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 song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as an event 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 room, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season because 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 exposes.

'He is tapping the manager 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 understand the 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 good feedback from the group - even individuals who do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to develop 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 happiness has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We have actually been having group 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 cut out as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised a journey 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another bit of complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. It's like one huge household.'

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

'It shows we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi firmly insists.