Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him

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Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

'My dad'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 cut it off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because 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 stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only just recently that I've been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has 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 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 cut out as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and on Sunday, he will be back in London feeding 100 households 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 grocery store.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my father naturally simply offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's only ideal with the impact I have that I give back also.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually 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 be reluctant when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said 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 constantly 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 release a single with his launching 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 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 best season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as a celebration 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 space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.

'I don't get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't assist 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 simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand 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 great feedback from the group - even individuals who do not speak English as their very first language 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset 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 and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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 once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is organised 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 totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really great. It's like one huge family.'

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.

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