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

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

'My dad's in your 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 cut it off so I thought let's do something different that nobody else has. I literally told the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment but 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 frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has just expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's always been my pastime to do music, work and things in fashion. But it's just just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not simply 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 actually added to his on-pitch improvement

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 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 free in a regional grocery store.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually motivated me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just ideal with the impact I have that I provide back as well.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more goals 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 youngster you wish to do your best to impress the manager and want everybody to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 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 firmly insists that he's constantly had the mindset of sensation 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 song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been involved in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it's my best start to the season - I simply 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 good to have a manager who offers you the 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 tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to 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 considering that 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 reveals.

'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 resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't understand what was stated however he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the team - even the people who don't speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder however he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a lot 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 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 arranged 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little bit of complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really nice. It resembles one big family.'

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly 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 take on anybody. We are not frightened. 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 may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi