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

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

'My father's in your 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 believed let's do something different that no one else has. I literally told the hairdresser to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since 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 stark 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 mindset of feeling 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 structure, Project 17.

'It's always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just just recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has 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 improvement

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 cut out 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 home town, where whatever will be complimentary in a local grocery store.

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

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

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has 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 child you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everyone to understand you are fully focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have 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 almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly 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 be reluctant when he had the chance 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 so far' 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 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?'

'I have been included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it's my finest start to the season - I just need to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the 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?' which is explained as a celebration 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 space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season given 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 reveals.

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated but he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the team - even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has been discovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's frame 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 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 handle 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), 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 group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three 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 complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It's like one big household.'

But first, 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 shows we have the capability to contend with anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi