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Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

'My dad's in the house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't wish to suffice off so I believed let's do something different that nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild since it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My daddy'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 state of mind of feeling 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 songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's always been my pastime to do music, work and things in style. But it's just recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to show people 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 five objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch improvement

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 households for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his home town, where everything will be free in a local grocery store.

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

'In the house I was raised in, my papa naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street - he would just 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 lucky or less lucky. With the position I am 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 just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a youngster you want to do your best to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling great to express 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 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 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 agrees.

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 frame 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 release a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been included in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say 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 goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who provides you the confidence to do that,' he states.

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 blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

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

'I do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help himself, Iwobi exposes.

'He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was just vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the first time he didn't comprehend what was stated but he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder but 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding which's brought a great deal 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), came back then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're prepared 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 wants to take us out. That's another little complimentary food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually nice. It's like one huge household.'

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

'It shows we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very 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