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

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

'My father's in your house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't want to suffice off so I believed let's do something various that no one else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My dad'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 firmly insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has just expressed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

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

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

It's a stark 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 households 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 complimentary in a local supermarket.

'You understand what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an intense game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.

'In your home I was raised in, my daddy naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has motivated me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's only ideal with the impact I have that I return too.'

Through these efforts 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 simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you wish to do your best to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'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 almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually 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 in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, 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 firmly insists that he's always had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been involved in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it's my best start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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 referred to as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing mixed 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 because 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The 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 understand the very first time he didn't understand what was said but he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the group - even the individuals who don't speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder but 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 again. Now that happiness has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, says 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 arranged 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 arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven 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 good. It resembles one big household.'

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually 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 ability to take on anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi