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

'Yeah, that actually plays a part (in expressing 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 cut it off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My father's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football however has actually only expressed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just recently that I've 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 finest start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches

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

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

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out as Fulham take on 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 whatever will be complimentary in a local supermarket.

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

'In your house I was raised in, my papa naturally just gave back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's only best with the influence I have that I offer back also.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you desire to do your finest to impress the manager and want everyone to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually plays a part.'

Among 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. 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 constantly had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released 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 might state it's my best start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined with Rap".

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

'I don't get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. 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 first time he didn't comprehend what was said but he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the group - even the individuals who don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a lot of togetherness, says 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 take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

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

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really great. It's like one huge family.'

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

'It reveals we have the capability to complete with anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi insists.

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

FulhamAlex Iwobi