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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 best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

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

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 constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has actually 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 always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just 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 states.

Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with five objectives in 15 matches

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

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 handle 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 hometown, where whatever will be complimentary in a local grocery store.

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

'In the house I was raised in, my daddy naturally just offered back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just best with the influence I have that I return too.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, is the trick 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 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you want to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost 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 be reluctant when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best 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 firmly insists that he's always 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 actually been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it's my best start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who offers you the confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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?' which is described as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed 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 do not get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi exposes.

'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 said it wasn't bad. I know the 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 excellent feedback from the group - even the people who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' 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 hardly 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 rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's certainly 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 on 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 journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went 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 games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another bit of totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It resembles one big household.'

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 lots of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the ability to compete with anyone. We are not terrified. 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 may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi