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 finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

'My father's in your home and he's most likely 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 different that nobody 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 plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football however has only revealed himself more in the last few years, 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 style. But it's only recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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

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

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teen 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 home town, where everything will be free in a local grocery store.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my father naturally simply offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's just best 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 actually already scored more objectives 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 wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly 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 think twice when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva stated 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 insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football

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 launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it's my best start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a manager who offers you the confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described as an event 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 room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

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

'He is tapping the manager 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 said it wasn't bad. I understand the first time he didn't understand what was said but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the group - even the people who don't speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to build 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 joy has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding and that's brought a lot 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 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 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 team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another bit of complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually nice. It's like one big household.'

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

'It shows we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very 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