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

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

'My daddy's in the home and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't wish to suffice off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute 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 launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has just revealed himself more in the last few years, 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 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 says.

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

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch enhancement

It's a plain 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 everything will be complimentary in a local supermarket.

'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an extreme game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.

'In your home I was raised in, my papa naturally simply offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the I remain in, I feel like it's only right with the impact I have that I return as well.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick 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 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

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

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it actually 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 be reluctant when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League so far' 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 mindset 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 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 actually been working well. You could say it's my best start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make certain it's my best season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who offers 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 debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap".

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

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

'He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was just vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the team - even the individuals who don't speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We have actually been having team 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 on in 2023

Iwobi will have his work eliminated 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 feel like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another little bit of totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. It's like one big household.'

But first, 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 lots of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not terrified. 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 may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi