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

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

'My dad's in your home and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't wish to suffice off so I believed let's do something different that nobody else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My papa's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

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 constantly had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has only expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has actually 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 actually added to his on-pitch enhancement

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 cut out 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 home town, where everything will be complimentary in a local grocery store.

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

'In your house I was raised in, my papa naturally simply offered back. To individuals 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 father are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just best with the influence I have that I return also.'

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

'As a child you desire to do your best to impress the manager and want everybody to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals 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 think twice when he had the chance 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 concurs.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched 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 could state it's my finest start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and ensure it's my best season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who provides you the confidence to do that,' he says.

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

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

'I do not get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help himself, Iwobi exposes.

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't understand what was said 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 first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however 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 take a trip 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 found after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely assisting us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva first 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 eat. We arranged a journey 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another bit of complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It resembles one huge family.'

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

'It shows we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi