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

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

'My father's in your house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't wish to cut it off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I literally told the hairdresser to 'express 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 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 constantly had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football however has only expressed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just 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 states.

Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states 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 everything will be totally free in a regional grocery store.

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

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

Through these efforts 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 five in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly plays a part.'

Among 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 last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League up until now' and he concurs.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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 actually been associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it's my finest start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a manager who provides 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 launching song '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 blended with Rap".

It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.

'I don't 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 tune. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was just 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 comprehend what was said but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the team - even individuals who don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to construct 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 take a trip 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 discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding which's brought a lot 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 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), returned 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 team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another bit of complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly good. It resembles one big family.'

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 video game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the capability to complete with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi