Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

'Yeah, that actually plays a part (in expressing 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 cut it off so I believed let's do something various that nobody else has. I literally told the hairdresser to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild since 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 insists that he's constantly had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football but has only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles 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 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 says.

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

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually contributed to his on-pitch improvement

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teen 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 whatever will be totally free in a local supermarket.

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

'In the house I was raised in, my papa naturally just gave back. To people 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 dad are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just right with the impact I have that I offer back as well.'

Through these initiatives 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 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 finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are fully focused on football. But it (liberty) features age, being totally free 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 succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly 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 be reluctant when he had the opportunity 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 up until now' and he agrees.

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 mindset 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 debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it's my finest start to the season - I just have to keep it going and ensure it's my best season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who gives you the confidence to do that,' he states.

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 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 finest start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

'I don't get it on in the dressing room however 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 resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated however he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's strategy at Everton was to develop 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 again. Now that happiness has been discovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding which's brought a great deal of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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 seem like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really good. 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 video game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the ability 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 may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi