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

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

'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 wish to suffice off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I literally informed 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 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 launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has actually just revealed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only 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 states.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his best start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says 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 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.
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For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where whatever will be totally free in a local grocery store.

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

'In your home I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would simply purchase of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only ideal with the impact I have that I return too.'
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Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick 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 just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it's useful, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're confident and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva said 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 firmly insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

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

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

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

'He is tapping the supervisor 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 stated it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated but 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 individuals who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder but he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly 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 happiness has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'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 and that's brought a lot of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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 organised 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 feel like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'
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Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little bit of complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. It resembles one big household.'

But first, 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 plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi