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

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

'My father's in the home and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't want to suffice off so I thought let's do something different that no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment however 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 debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he's always had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually only expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's always been my pastime 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 reveal individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 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 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 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 totally free in a local grocery store.

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

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

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you want to do your best to impress the manager and want everyone to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals 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 hesitate 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 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 state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been involved in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it's my finest start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to express' 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 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 explained as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

It's also 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 do not get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi exposes.

'He is tapping the manager to listen to the song. The 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 stated it wasn't bad. I understand the 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 excellent feedback from the group - even the people who don't speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' adds 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 take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We have actually been having team 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 on in 2023

Iwobi will have his work eliminated as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're ready 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 wants to take us out. That's another little bit of totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. It's like one huge household.'

But initially, 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 had lots of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the ability to contend with anyone. We are not scared. 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi