Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle 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 expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.

'My daddy's in the house and he's most likely 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 different that no one else has. I literally told the hairdresser to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My dad's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

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 however has only expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just 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 actually made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually 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 home town, where everything will be complimentary in a local grocery store.

'You know 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 your home I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has 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 best with the impact I have that I return too.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more objectives than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you want to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everybody to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling confident 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 be reluctant when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said 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 firmly insists that he's constantly had the frame 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 launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

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

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend 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 because 2003-04.

'I don't get it on in the dressing room but 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 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 stated however he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great 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 plan at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however he was sacked four 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 delight has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's certainly assisting us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding which's brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three 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 complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually nice. It's like one big family.'

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually 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 reveals we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi 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