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 sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

'My daddy's in the home and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't wish to suffice off so I thought let's do something various that nobody else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My father's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have 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 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 regional grocery store.

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

'In the home I was raised in, my papa naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just ideal with the impact I have that I offer back too.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more objectives 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 child you want to do your finest to impress the manager and want everyone to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually 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 think twice when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' 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 mindset 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 debut tune '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 might state it's my best start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a manager who provides you the confidence to do that,' he says.

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 referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined with Rap".

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

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

Silva's plan at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has been found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a lot of togetherness, says 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 take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. 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 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 video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another bit of complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really nice. It resembles one huge household.'

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

'It reveals we have the ability to contend with anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi