Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually helped his football in what he views 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 the house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't wish to suffice off so I thought let's do something different that nobody else has. I actually 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 dad'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 insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's always been my hobby 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 individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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

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

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his debut 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 households 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 supermarket.

'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an extreme video game but whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.

'In the house I was raised in, my father naturally simply provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's only best with the influence I have that I return also.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already 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 child you desire to do your best to impress the manager and desire everyone to understand you are fully focused on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it really plays a part.'

One of those individuals 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. 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 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 launch a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been involved in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could 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 aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to 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 since 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

'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 was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the first time he didn't understand what was stated but he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the group - even the individuals who don't speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to build 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely assisting us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, states 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), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

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

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly 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 take on anyone. We are not scared. 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 might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi