Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has helped his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

'My father's in the home and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't desire to cut it 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 minute however I like it. My daddy's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

It's a stark 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 state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable foundation, 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 have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have 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 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 video game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.

'In your home I was raised in, my father naturally just gave back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only right with the influence I have that I return too.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently 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 want everyone to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. 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 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he's always 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 tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

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

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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?' which is explained as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap".

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

'I do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't assist 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 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 understand what was said but he delighted in 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 very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal 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 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), returned 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 organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another bit of totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really great. It resembles one big family.'

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently 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 exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi firmly insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi