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

'Yeah, that actually plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
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'My dad's in your 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 various that nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' however 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 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 actually only expressed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and releasing 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 show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have added 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 eliminated as Fulham take on 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.
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For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where everything will be totally free in a local supermarket.

'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an extreme game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.

'In your house I was raised in, my papa naturally simply provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually motivated me to give to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's just best with the impact I have that I give back as well.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret 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 two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you wish to do your best to impress the manager and want everyone to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 be reluctant when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against 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 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of sensation 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 tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it's my best start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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?' which is explained as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined 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 don't get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

'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 stated it wasn't bad. I know the first time he didn't comprehend what was stated however he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the group - even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's plan 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 take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding which'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 cut out 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 journey 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 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 seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another bit of totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly good. It resembles one huge family.'

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the ability to contend with anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi firmly insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi
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