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 finest start to a Premier League season so far.

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

'My daddy'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 desire to cut it off so I thought let's do something different that no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My dad'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 firmly insists that he's always had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has actually just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

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

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

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

It's a stark 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 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 free in a regional supermarket.

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

'In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally just gave back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's just right with the impact I have that I return also.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently 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 want everyone to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it really 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 be reluctant when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva said 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 constantly had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football

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

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

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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 a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined with Rap".

It's likewise 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 just can't help 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 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 said but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the group - even individuals who don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to construct 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 delight has actually been found after his ₤ 22M move last year.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping 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 on in 2023

Iwobi will have his work cut out as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went 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 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another little totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really great. It's like one big household.'

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

'It reveals we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same against 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi