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 so far.

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

'My father's in the house and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't desire to suffice off so I thought let's do something various 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 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 mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football however has just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's always been my pastime 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 people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually added 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 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 hometown, where whatever will be complimentary in a regional grocery store.

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

'In the house I was raised in, my papa naturally just provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just right with the impact I have that I give back too.'

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

'As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to understand you are fully focused on football. But it (liberty) features age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals 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 think twice 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 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the state 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 debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been included in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it's my finest start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and ensure it's my best season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who offers you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as a celebration 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 room, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.

'I don't get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't assist himself, Iwobi exposes.

'He is tapping the manager 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 was like 'yes it's Alex!' He stated it wasn't bad. I know the very 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 do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's plan 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that joy has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having team 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 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 organised a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel 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 little complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually nice. It resembles one huge household.'

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently 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 ability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' 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