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Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has helped his football in what he sees 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 home and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't desire to cut it off so I believed let's do something different that nobody else has. I literally told the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My father's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

It's a plain 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 state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only recently that I've been myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply 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 states his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch improvement

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 households 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 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 your home I was raised in, my dad naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it's just best with the influence I have that I return also.'

Through these efforts 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 just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and want everybody to know you are completely focused on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's constructive, you do not mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly 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 think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' and he concurs.

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

Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football
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Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released 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 could say it's my best start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make certain it's my best season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined 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 given that 2003-04.

'I don't get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi exposes.

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. The 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 said it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said however he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

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

Silva's plan 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has been found after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting 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 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 consume. We arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're ready 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 wants to take us out. That's another little complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually nice. It's like one big 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 video game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the capability 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi
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