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

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

'My papa'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 suffice off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My daddy'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 insists that he's always 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, releasing songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only recently that I've been expressing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch improvement

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teen who made his launching under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out as Fulham handle 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 regional supermarket.

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

'In the home I was raised in, my papa naturally simply offered back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just ideal with the influence I have that I give back as well.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick 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 just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

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

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly 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 versus Brighton recently, Silva stated 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 insists that he's always had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football

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?'

'I have actually been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state 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' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a manager who offers you the self-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 blended 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 since 2003-04.

'I don't get it on in the dressing space however 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 just vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated but he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's plan at Everton was to build 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 once again. Now that delight has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly helping us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal 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 consume. We organised 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 prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually great. It resembles one huge family.'

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week 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 compete with anybody. We are not frightened. 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 may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi