Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi is enjoying the best form of his career at Fulham, declaring that this season will be his most productive yet after equaling his best-ever Premier League goal tally halfway through the campaign.
The 28-year-old, who has started all 20 matches for the Cottagers this term while contributing five goals and three assists, attributes his excellent form to the freedom given to him by manager Marco Silva.
“You could say it is 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,” Iwobi told BBC Sport.
His confidence is evident as Fulham prepares to host Bournemouth at Craven Cottage on Sunday (today) in a clash between two sides enjoying standout Premier League campaigns. Fulham sits eighth in the table, just six points off the Champions League spots.
Silva’s side is unbeaten in their last six league matches, including draws against Arsenal and Liverpool. Their only defeat since mid-October came against Newcastle United.
The Portuguese manager recently hailed Iwobi as one of Fulham’s best players this season, if not their standout performer.
“Alex is one of the best players so far this season if not the best,” Silva said earlier in the campaign. “From the first day of pre-season, he’s been so, so brilliant.”
That brilliance was on full display again on Boxing Day, when Fulham claimed a dramatic 2-1 win at Chelsea. Iwobi played a key role as Fulham scored twice in the final eight minutes, with Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz netting to stun their London rivals.
For Iwobi, who grew up idolizing his uncle Jay-Jay Okocha and Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, the freedom to express himself under Silva has been transformative.
“Those two were my favourite players to watch growing up,” Iwobi said. “It showed me that just being yourself, being who you are, you get accepted.”
The Nigeria international particularly appreciates Silva’s man-management approach, which encourages creativity even after mistakes.
“If I do make a mistake, I can go again,” Iwobi explained. “It’s nice to have a manager who gives you the confidence to do that. Players normally do well when they are confident, and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable.”
This confidence has translated into consistent performances, with Iwobi firmly established as one of Silva’s first-choice players, starting every Premier League game this season ahead of capable alternatives like Harry Wilson.
Silva has also praised the growing partnership between Iwobi and Wilson, saying, “That connection that he’s creating with Alex—it’s not the first time that we created a chance like that, and he did it again, and I’m really pleased for him.”
Iwobi’s impressive form has seen him match his previous season’s total of five Premier League goals before the season’s halfway point, marking his most prolific spell since joining Fulham.
His contributions have helped Fulham to their second-best points tally at this stage in Premier League history, with 28 points from 20 matches putting them firmly in the race for European qualification.
Looking ahead to today’s clash with sixth-placed Bournemouth, who are five points ahead with two games in hand, Iwobi remains confident his side can compete with anyone.
“I mean, I just want us to finish as high as we can,” he told Premier League TV. “It’s not easy. Yeah, obviously as high as we can. Just keep on staying consistent with the way we’re going. Because, like, we’re very good, we’re in a good place right now. And, yeah, just hopefully the momentum keeps going.”
Beyond his football achievements, Iwobi has also made a difference off the pitch with his ‘AleXpress’ supermarket initiative in Canning Town, helping 100 families with Christmas dinner, reflecting the same composure and vision that have made him indispensable to Fulham’s push for European football.
As Silva’s side looks to extend their impressive unbeaten run against Bournemouth, who are also on a six-match unbeaten streak, Iwobi’s determination to make this his defining season could prove crucial in Fulham’s quest for continental football.
