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

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

'My father'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 suffice off so I believed let's do something different that nobody else has. I literally told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My papa'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 always had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal 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 5 objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have added 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 eliminated 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 free in a local grocery store.

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

'In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally just provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's just right with the impact I have that I offer back too.'

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

'As a youngster you desire to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

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

Among 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 recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League so far' and he agrees.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling 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 actually been involved in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it's my finest start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became 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 blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

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

'I don't get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help 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 just vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said but he delighted 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 do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's strategy 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 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 actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a lot of togetherness, states 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 arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once 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 three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little bit of totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually nice. It's like one big household.'

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

'It shows we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the same versus 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