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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 best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

'My dad's in the home and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't wish to suffice off so I thought let's do something different that nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My dad's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has only revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing 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 just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has actually 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 stark contrast from the short-haired teen 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 home town, where everything will be totally free in a regional grocery store.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my papa naturally just offered back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only ideal with the impact I have that I return also.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more goals 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 child you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are totally focused on football. But it (liberty) features age, being free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong psychologically. 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best 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 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 first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

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

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

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

'He is tapping the manager 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 stated it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said however he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the team - even the individuals who don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder however 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 camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We have actually been having team 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 eliminated 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 again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly great. It resembles one big household.'

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

'It reveals we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the 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