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 up until now.

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

'My dad's in your home and he's probably 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 actually 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 however I like it. My daddy'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 insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football however has just revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has 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 actually contributed to his on-pitch improvement

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and on Sunday, he will be back in London feeding 100 households 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 totally free in a local grocery store.

'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense game but whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.

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

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently 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 desire to do your best to impress the manager and want everyone to know you are completely focused on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 hesitate when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, 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 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi 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 first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been included in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it's my best start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who offers you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

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

It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season considering that 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 assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The 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 understand the very first time he didn't understand what was said however he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent 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 develop around the midfielder but 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation 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 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 cut out as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We organised 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 group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really nice. It resembles one big 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 video game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the ability to complete with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi