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 sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

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

'My daddy's in the home and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't wish to cut it off so I believed let's do something different that no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My daddy'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 however has actually only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just recently that I've been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals 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 5 goals in 15 matches

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

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

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated as Fulham take on 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 hometown, where whatever will be totally free in a regional grocery store.

'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 the house I was raised in, my dad naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has motivated me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just right with the impact I have that I give back also.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more objectives than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling positive 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 people that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn't think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' and he agrees.

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 frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football

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

'I have been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state 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 goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who offers you the confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching 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 blend 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 room however 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 stated it wasn't bad. I understand the first time he didn't understand what was stated however he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly 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 delight has actually been found after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely assisting us this season. We've been having group 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 take on 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), 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 three games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It's like one big household.'

But initially, 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 was complete of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the ability to compete with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi