Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

'My papa's in the house 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 believed let's do something different that nobody else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because 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 frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has actually only revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

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

Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches

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

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teen 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 home town, where everything will be free in a local grocery store.

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

'In your house I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's only best with the impact I have that I return as well.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you desire to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have 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 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 think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against 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 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of feeling 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 launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been involved in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it's my finest start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as an event 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 finest start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing room however 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 tune. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He stated it wasn't bad. I understand the very 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 individuals who don't speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to construct 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 pleasure has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's certainly helping us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding which's brought a lot 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 handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went 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 three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little bit of totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly good. It's like one huge family.'

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

'It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not scared. 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi