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

'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in revealing myself),' the says.

'My dad'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 wish to cut it off so I believed let's do something various that no one else has. I literally 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 moment but I like it. My dad'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 firmly insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has actually only revealed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just just recently that I've been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal 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 five objectives in 15 matches

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

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 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 video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.

'In the home I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually motivated me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's only ideal with the impact I have that I provide back as well.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually 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 supervisor and want everybody to know you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) features age, being totally free and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'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 almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals 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 hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League so far' and he concurs.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became 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 actually been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it's my best start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and make certain it's my best season. That's the aim' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who offers you the confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as a celebration 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 because 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't help 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 just vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He stated it wasn't bad. I understand the first time he didn't understand what was stated however 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,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however 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 take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding and that'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 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 journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once 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 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 bit of totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It resembles one huge family.'

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and directly 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 compete with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi