Nigeria & Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has opened up about his impressive form this season and the key role manager Marco Silva has played in bringing out the best in him. Speaking to The Standard, Iwobi reflected on his best-ever start to a Premier League campaign, which has seen him score five goals — matching his tally from last season.
“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,” said Iwobi. “That’s the aim.”
The Nigerian international has been a standout performer for Fulham this season, and his consistency in front of goal has made him one of the club’s most influential players. Despite already equaling his best-ever tally for a Premier League season, Iwobi is determined to reach even greater heights as the campaign progresses.
Confidence Under Marco Silva
A key factor in Iwobi’s form has been the trust and confidence instilled in him by manager Marco Silva. Iwobi credits Silva’s unwavering support for his growth and development, with the Portuguese manager pushing him to continually strive for improvement.
“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.”
He added, “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.”
Silva’s philosophy of fostering confidence and self-belief has been pivotal in Iwobi’s development at Fulham. The midfielder is not only thriving on the pitch but also feels an emotional connection to the club’s culture, which Silva has worked hard to nurture.
Team Unity at Fulham
Iwobi also highlighted the strong sense of unity within the Fulham squad, describing the team as a “family.” He emphasized the absence of egos at the club and the mutual respect that exists between all players, regardless of their status or experience.
“At Fulham, the main thing is that there’s no egos. Everyone treats each other the same way. “Also, outside the training ground, we stay in touch. We’ve had a lot of meals in London, we organized a trip to Paris to clear our heads, came back then went again with the Tottenham result and the Brighton result.
“It’s really nice. It’s like one big family. We feel like we’re ready to fly and we can do anything together,” Iwobi added, underscoring the importance of team bonding in the squad’s strong performances this season.
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Preparing for Liverpool Challenge
Looking ahead to Fulham’s upcoming Premier League clash with Liverpool, Iwobi remains optimistic, despite the tough challenge awaiting at Anfield. The Cottagers are gearing up for a crucial test against Jurgen Klopp’s high-flying side, who are currently top of the Premier League.
“We are going there to get a result,” Iwobi said with confidence. “You never know in the Premier League – in any game, anything can happen. Even though they are top of the league, we want to get the result we want.”
Alex Iwobi @alexiwobi not only scored two goals, he also covered every blade of grass while contributing on both sides of the field. Could have easily had another goal and multiple assists.
A joy to watch when he’s playing like this. pic.twitter.com/h2YcV0Ijjf
— Home of Nigerian Football (@EaglesTrackerNG) December 6, 2024
Iwobi’s belief in the unpredictability of the Premier League, coupled with Fulham’s strong team spirit, suggests the club is ready to take on any challenge that comes their way. With Iwobi in top form and a supportive manager in Marco Silva, the Cottagers will be hoping to continue their positive run when they visit Anfield this weekend.
