Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has helped his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

'My papa's in your house 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 believed let's do something different that no one 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 dad'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 insists that he's always had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

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

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his best start to a Premier League season with five objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch improvement

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 whatever will be complimentary in a local supermarket.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has motivated me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just best with the impact I have that I offer back too.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually 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 child you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everyone to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League so far' 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 always had the state of mind of feeling 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 included in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it's my finest start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune '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 mixed with Rap".

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

'I don't get it on in the dressing room 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 simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't comprehend 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 individuals who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however 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 take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure 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 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 first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later in 2023

Iwobi will have his work eliminated 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), 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 group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another bit of totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. It's like 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 video game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the ability to compete with anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus 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