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Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has assisted his football in what he views 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 tired and didn't desire to cut it off so I thought let's do something different that no one else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My papa's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut 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 but has only revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not just 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 actually added to his on-pitch improvement

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated as Fulham handle 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 hometown, where whatever will be free in a regional supermarket.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's only right with the influence I have that I return too.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently 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 want to do your finest to impress the and desire everybody to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're confident 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 actually 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 think twice when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best 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 always had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the 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?'

'I have actually been involved in a lot 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 simply need to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who gives you the confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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?' which is described as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.

'I don't get it on in the dressing space but 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 song. 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 first time he didn't comprehend what was stated but he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Iwobi would take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset 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 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 eat. We organised a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another little bit of free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly great. It resembles one huge household.'

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

'It reveals we have the capability to complete with anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi firmly insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi