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 in fact plays a part (in revealing 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 bored and didn't wish to cut it off so I thought let's do something different that no one else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My papa's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

It's a stark 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 frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has just revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. 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 says his multi-coloured braids have contributed 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 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 home town, where whatever will be totally free in a local supermarket.

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

'In your house I was raised in, my daddy naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually influenced me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just right with the impact I have that I offer back also.'

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 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you wish to do your best to impress the manager and want everyone to know you are fully focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're confident 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 really plays a part.'

One of 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus 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 became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been included in a great deal of goals, 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 ensure it's my finest season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who provides you the confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release 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 blended 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 given that 2003-04.

'I don't get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the manager 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 said it wasn't bad. I understand the 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 good feedback from the team - even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's plan 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has actually been found after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, says 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 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 seem like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another little totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really good. It's like one big household.'

But initially, 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 was full of credit for Fulham.

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