Alex Iwobi is talking about 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 in fact plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.

'My dad's in your house 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 thought 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 due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My papa'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 insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. 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 finest 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 improvement

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teen 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 home town, where everything will be complimentary in a local grocery store.

'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 exist on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.

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

Through these initiatives 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 five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you want to do your finest to impress the manager and want everyone to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

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

Among those people 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 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 firmly insists that he's always had the state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football

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

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

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

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

'I do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't help 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 resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the first time he didn't understand what was said 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 the individuals who don't speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to construct 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has been found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding which's brought a lot 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 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 trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're ready 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 complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. It resembles one huge family.'

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually 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 ability to take on anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus 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