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

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

'My father's in your home and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't want to cut it off so I believed let's do something different that no one else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the moment 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 sensation like there's more to life than football however has actually just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. 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 says.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his best 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 teenager who made his launching under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and on Sunday, he will be back in London feeding 100 families 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 local supermarket.

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

'In your house I was raised in, my father naturally just provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has motivated me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just ideal with the influence I have that I return as well.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more goals than in any other season, with five 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 everybody to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (freedom) features 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 psychologically. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically 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 hesitate when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best 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 Project 17

Iwobi 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 release a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it's my best start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and make certain it's my best season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who provides you the to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut 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 mixed 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 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 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 know the very first time he didn't understand what was stated however he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's strategy at Everton was to construct 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 take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'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 group meals and bonding which's brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on in 2023

Iwobi will have his work cut out as Fulham handle 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), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little bit of free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really nice. It's like 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 game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the capability to complete with anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi insists.

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

FulhamAlex Iwobi