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

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

'My papa's in the home and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't wish to suffice off so I thought let's do something different that no one else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My papa's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football but has only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs 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 recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has made his to a Premier League season with five objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually contributed to his on-pitch improvement

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 cut out 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 whatever will be complimentary in a local grocery store.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has motivated me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only ideal with the influence I have that I return as well.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everyone to know you are totally focused on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling positive 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 individuals 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League so far' and he agrees.

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

Iwobi insists that he's always had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football

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?'

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

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

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

'I do not get it on in the dressing room however 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 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 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 team - even the people who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has actually been found after his ₤ 22M move last year.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding which's brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially 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 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 seem like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another bit of free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually great. It resembles one big household.'

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and directly 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 terrified. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi