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 best start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

'My dad's in the 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 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 simple.'

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

Iwobi insists that he's always had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually only expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

Alexi Iwobi has made his best 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 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 totally free in a local grocery store.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my daddy naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just right with the impact I have that I return too.'

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 two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you desire to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to know you are fully focused on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly 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 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 concurs.

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 sensation 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 tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it's my best start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who offers 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 song '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 mix of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season since 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 supervisor to listen to the tune. The first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was just 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 enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's strategy 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 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 happiness has actually been uncovered 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've been having group meals and bonding which's brought a great deal of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially 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 consume. We arranged a trip 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 3 video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little bit of totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really nice. It resembles 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 game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi firmly 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