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

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

'My daddy's in your 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 cut it off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the moment however 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 state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has only revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable foundation, 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 reveal people that I am not just 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 states his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch enhancement

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his debut under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated as Fulham handle 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 home town, where everything will be free in a local supermarket.

'You understand what Liverpool are like - 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 your home I was raised in, my father naturally just offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just ideal with the impact I have that I give back too.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 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 manager and desire everybody to know you are completely focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive 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 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 against Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League up until now' and he concurs.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 families 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 launch a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it's my finest start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a manager who provides you the confidence to do that,' he states.

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 launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

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

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

'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 was like 'yes it's Alex!' He stated it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't understand what was stated but he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the team - even individuals who don't speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes 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 hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding and that'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 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 arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It resembles 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 complete of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the ability to contend with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same versus 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