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

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

'My papa's in the house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't desire to suffice off so I thought let's do something different that no one else has. I literally informed the hairdresser 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 father's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually only expressed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not just 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 enhancement

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 take on 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 everything will be free in a local supermarket.

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

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

'As a child you wish to do your best to impress the manager and want everybody to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 hesitate when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League so far' and he agrees.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it's my best start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make certain it's my best season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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?' which is explained 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 finest start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.

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

'He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He stated 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 good feedback from the group - even the individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's plan 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 barely played him at all.

Iwobi would travel 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 actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We've been having group 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 eliminated 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 journey 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 prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

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

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 game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same against 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