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

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

'My dad's in the home and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired 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 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My dad's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

It's a stark 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 frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has actually just revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching 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've been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have 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 cut out 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 complimentary in a local supermarket.

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

'In the house I was raised in, my dad naturally just gave back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has motivated me to give to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's just ideal with the impact I have that I offer back too.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick 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 just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you want to do your best to impress the manager and want everybody to know you are completely focused on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually 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 think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest 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 insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it's my finest start to the season - I just need to keep it going and ensure it's my best season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a manager who offers you the confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune '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 blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

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

'I do not get it on in the dressing space but 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 was like '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 enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's plan at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

'Everyone's state 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 great deal 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 take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

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

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and directly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the ability to complete with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same versus 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi