Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

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

'My daddy's in your home 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 told the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My papa's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

It's a plain 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 mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football but has just revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply 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 says his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch improvement

It's a stark 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 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 regional supermarket.

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

'In the house I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually influenced me to give to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's only ideal with the impact I have that I return too.'

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

'As a youngster you want to do your best to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are totally focused on football. But it (liberty) features age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost 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 against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League up until now' 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 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 actually been involved in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it's my best start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who provides 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 tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

It's also 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 don't get it on in the dressing room however 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 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 understand the very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated however he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder however he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely 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 once again. Now that delight has actually been found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, states 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 journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back 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 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 bit of totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually great. It's like one huge household.'

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

'It reveals we have the ability to contend with anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very 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