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 in fact plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.

'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 suffice off so I thought let's do something different that no one else has. I literally told the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My daddy'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 constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has just revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches

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

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his debut 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 home town, where everything will be complimentary in a regional grocery store.

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

'In the home I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just right with the influence I have that I return too.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more goals 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 wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive 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 really plays a part.'

Among those individuals 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 in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League so far' and he concurs.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 families 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 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 been included in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it's my finest start to the season - I just need to keep it going and make certain it's my best season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who provides 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 debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described 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 best start to a top-flight season given that 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help himself, Iwobi exposes.

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. 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 said it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated 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 the people who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's strategy 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has been found after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding which's brought a lot of togetherness, says 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 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 seem 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 wants to take us out. That's another little totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. 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 video game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the capability to contend with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi