Nigerian professional Footballer Alex Iwobi has hit his prime at Fulham. He declared this campaign will be his most productive yet after matching his best Premier League goal return just halfway through the season.

The 28-year-old, who has started all 20 matches for the high-flying Cottagers this term while contributing five goals and three assists, believes his excellent form stems from the freedom granted 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.

The former Arsenal man’s conviction comes as Fulham prepare to host Bournemouth at Craven Cottage on Sunday (today) in a clash between two sides enjoying remarkable Premier League campaigns, with the London club sitting eighth and just six points off the Champions League places.

Silva’s men are unbeaten in their last six league matches, including draws against Arsenal and Liverpool, with their only defeat since mid-October coming against Newcastle United.

The Portuguese tactician recently rated Iwobi among Fulham’s standout performers this season, if not their best player outright.

“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 display again on Boxing Day when Fulham secured a dramatic 2-1 victory at Chelsea, with Iwobi playing a key role as the Cottagers scored twice in the final eight minutes through Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz to stun their London rivals.

For Iwobi, who grew up idolising 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,” he 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.”

That unstoppable feeling has translated into consistent performances, with Iwobi establishing himself as one of Silva’s first names on the team sheet, starting every Premier League game this season ahead of capable alternatives like Harry Wilson.

Silva highlighted the budding 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.”

The manager’s faith has been rewarded with Iwobi’s most prolific spell since joining Fulham, matching his previous season’s tally of five league goals before the campaign’s midway point.

His impressive displays have helped propel Fulham to their second-best points tally at this stage in Premier League history, with 28 points from their opening 20 matches putting them firmly in contention for European qualification.

Looking ahead to today’s clash with sixth-placed Bournemouth, who are five points ahead having played two games fewer, Iwobi maintains 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.”

The midfielder’s influence extends beyond the pitch, with his ‘AleXpress’ supermarket initiative in Canning Town helping 100 families with Christmas dinner, demonstrating the same composure and vision that has made him indispensable to Fulham’s European push.

As Silva’s side look to extend their impressive unbeaten run against Bournemouth, who themselves haven’t lost in six league games, Iwobi’s determination to make this his definitive season could prove decisive in Fulham’s quest for continental football.

Credit: punchng.com

My Plan Is To Make 2024/25 Best Season Ever – Iwobi

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