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Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

'My father's in your house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't want to suffice off so I believed let's do something various that nobody else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the minute however 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 insists that he's always had the state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

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

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually contributed 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 hometown, where everything will be totally free in a local supermarket.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my papa naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually motivated me to give to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just ideal with the impact I have that I give back also.'

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 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you want to do your best to impress the manager and want everyone to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really plays a part.'

One of those people 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus 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 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

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

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a Luv?'

'I have actually been involved in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it's my best start to the season - I just need to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who provides you the confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended 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 considering that 2003-04.

'I don't get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the supervisor 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 stated it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't understand what was stated but he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the team - even the people who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's strategy 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's certainly helping us this season. We've been having team meals and bonding which's brought a lot of togetherness, states 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 organised 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It's like one huge household.'

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 game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the same against 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