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Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he sees 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 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 thought let's do something different that nobody else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the minute but 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 constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has just expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show 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 five goals in 15 matches

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

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 households for Christmas as part of 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where whatever will be complimentary in a regional supermarket.

'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 stresses.

'In the home I was raised in, my dad naturally just gave back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just right with the influence I have that I return also.'

Through these initiatives 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 want to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everyone to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it really 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 be reluctant when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League so far' and he agrees.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 households 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 very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been involved in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it's my best start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and ensure it's my best season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a manager who gives you the confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song '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 mixed 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 because 2003-04.

'I don't get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. 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 stated it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't understand what was stated but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the group - 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 build 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness 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 have actually been having team meals and bonding and that's brought a lot 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 cut out 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), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another bit of totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually great. It resembles one big family.'

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

'It shows we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi firmly 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