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

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

'My papa'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 desire to cut it off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the moment 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 debut 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 just expressed 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 only recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch enhancement

It's a plain 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 handle 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 free in a local supermarket.

'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense video 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 papa naturally simply offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky 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 trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more objectives 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 wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' and he agrees.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 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 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 included in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it's my finest start to the season - I simply need 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 express' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the 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 an event 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 considering that 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 very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was just 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 said however he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the group - even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has been discovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

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

Marco Silva initially 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 arranged a trip 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another bit of free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly good. It's like one huge family.'

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

'It shows we have the capability to contend with anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the same against 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