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

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

'My papa'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 believed let's do something various that no one else has. I actually told 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 daddy'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 insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has actually just expressed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and releasing 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 revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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

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

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teen 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 households 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 supermarket.

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

'In the home I was raised in, my papa naturally simply provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has inspired me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only right with the influence I have that I return also.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more goals 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 desire to do your best to impress the manager and want everyone to know you are fully focused on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League so far' 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 feeling 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 launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been included in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually 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 goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

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 launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing mixed 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 since 2003-04.

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

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. 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 first time he didn't comprehend what was said but he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the team - even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' adds Iwobi.

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

Iwobi would take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has been discovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely 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 in 2023

Iwobi will have his work eliminated 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 trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back 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 group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little bit of free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It resembles one big household.'

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the ability to compete with anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi