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

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

'My papa's in your home and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't want to cut it off so I believed let's do something different that nobody else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My father's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching 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 expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only just recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to show people 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 contributed to his on-pitch enhancement

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 hometown, where everything will be totally free in a regional supermarket.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my papa naturally just provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has motivated me to give to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's only ideal with the influence I have that I return too.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

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

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said 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 insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been associated with a lot of goals, 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 certain it's my finest season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who offers you the confidence to do that,' he states.

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

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

'I don't get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't help himself, Iwobi reveals.

'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 resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He stated it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the group - even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder however 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 take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding which's brought a lot of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially 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 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 arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little bit of complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually nice. It resembles one huge family.'

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

'It shows we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same against 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi