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

'Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing 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 suffice off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My father's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

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 frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has actually only expressed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals 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 objectives in 15 matches

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

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 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 totally free in a local supermarket.

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

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

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more goals 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 best to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly plays a part.'

One of 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 in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League so far' and he agrees.

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

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of feeling 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 launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been involved in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it's my finest start to the season - I just need to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who offers you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described 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 best start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't assist 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 understand what was stated but he took pleasure in 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 very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to build 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 once again. Now that joy has been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

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

Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on 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 once 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 3 games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another bit of free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually great. It's like one huge household.'

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

'It reveals we have the ability to contend with anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' 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