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

'Yeah, that actually plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.

'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 want to cut it off so I believed let's do something various that nobody else has. I actually told the hairdresser to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My daddy'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 frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has only revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable structure, 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 revealing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch improvement

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his debut under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated 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 hometown, where everything will be free in a regional supermarket.

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

'In the house I was raised in, my father naturally just provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's only right with the influence I have that I return as well.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everyone to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it really plays a part.'

One of those people 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 last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League up until now' and he concurs.

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 state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been involved in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it's my best start to the season - I just need to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi exposes.

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The 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 comprehend what was stated but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder but he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely 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 again. Now that happiness has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding which's brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later in 2023

Iwobi will have his work cut out as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We organised a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is organised 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 little bit of free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly great. It's like one big family.'

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

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

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

FulhamAlex Iwobi