Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has helped his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

'My daddy'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 cut it off so I thought let's do something different that no one else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment however 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 firmly insists that he's constantly had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football however has actually only revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable structure, 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 show people 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 5 objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have contributed 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 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 everything will be free in a local supermarket.

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

'In your house I was raised in, my papa naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals 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 offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it's only best with the influence I have that I return too.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more goals 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 child you want to do your best to impress the manager and desire everybody to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League up until now' 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 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 launch 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 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 have to keep it going and make certain it's my finest season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who gives you the confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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?' which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a mix 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 don't get it on in the dressing room 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 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 said it wasn't bad. I know the first time he didn't comprehend what was said but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the team - even the people 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 develop around the midfielder but he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'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, 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 take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We organised 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 prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another bit of complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly great. It resembles one big family.'

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

'It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. 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