Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

'My papa's in the 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 suffice off so I believed let's do something various that nobody else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My daddy's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching 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 only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's always been my pastime 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 show individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually 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 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 whatever will be complimentary in a local supermarket.

'You understand what Liverpool resemble - 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 stresses.

'In your house I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only best with the influence I have that I provide back as well.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you desire to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling great to reveal 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League up until now' and he agrees.

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 mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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?'

'I have been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it's my finest start to the season - I simply have 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 express' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who offers you the confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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?' which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined 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 considering that 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was just vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said 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 group - even individuals who do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We have actually been having team 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 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 consume. We arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is arranged 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 bit of complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really good. It resembles one huge family.'

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the same against 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi