Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

'My daddy's in the house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't wish to cut it off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' however 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 simple.'

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 feeling like there's more to life than football however has actually only expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just just recently that I've been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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

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

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 take on 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 totally free in a local grocery store.

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

'In the house I was raised in, my dad naturally simply offered back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just right with the influence I have that I give back 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 objectives than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really plays a part.'

One of 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 against Brighton recently, 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 families 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 launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it's my finest start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make certain it's my best season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a manager who gives you the confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song '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 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 exposes.

'He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The very 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 understand 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 the individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' 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 hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on in 2023

Iwobi will have his work eliminated as Fulham handle 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little bit of complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually great. It's like one huge family.'

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 take on anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' 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