Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has helped his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

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

'My daddy'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 various that no one else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My daddy's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

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 state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has only expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal 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 5 goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have contributed 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 eliminated 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 hometown, where whatever will be free in a regional supermarket.

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

'In the home I was raised in, my papa naturally simply offered back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household 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 influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it's only best 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 actually currently scored more objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and want everybody to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're confident and with me, to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually plays a part.'

Among those individuals 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against 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 constantly had the frame 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 debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been involved in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it's my best start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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?' which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap".

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

'I do not get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help himself, Iwobi exposes.

'He is tapping the manager to listen to the song. 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 know the very first time he didn't understand 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 mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to construct around the midfielder but he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely played him at all.

Iwobi would travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly helping us this season. We've been having group 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 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 seem like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another little bit of complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really nice. It's like one huge family.'

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 was full of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi