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

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

'My father's in the house and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't desire to suffice off so I believed let's do something various that no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My papa's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

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 always had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football however has actually only revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's just just recently that I have actually been revealing 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 finest 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 improvement

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teen who made his launching 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 free in a local grocery store.

'You understand 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 stresses.

'In your home I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's just best with the impact I have that I provide back too.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you wish to do your best to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. 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, to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually 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 last year. After his brace versus 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 mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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 actually been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it's my best start to the season - I just 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 good to have a manager who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

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 released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap".

It's likewise a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season given that 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 simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said 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 team - even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to build 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has been found after his ₤ 22M move last year.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which's brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on in 2023

Iwobi will have his work cut out as Fulham take on 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 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 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little bit of complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually great. It's like one huge family.'

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 had lots of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the capability to complete with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi