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

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

'My dad's in your house and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't desire to suffice off so I believed let's do something various 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 dad'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 constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has actually just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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 actually contributed to his on-pitch improvement

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut 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 families for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where whatever will be free in a regional supermarket.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally just provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate 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 as well.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more goals 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 child you desire to do your best to impress the and desire everybody to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being totally free and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

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

Among those individuals that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn't hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League so far' 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 state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

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

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching 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 blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

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

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

'He is tapping the manager 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 was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand the very 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 great feedback from the group - even individuals who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to develop 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 disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that joy has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding which'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 arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is arranged 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 bit of free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really nice. It's like one big household.'

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

'It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi