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

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

'My papa'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 desire to suffice off so I believed let's do something various that no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to 'express yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that 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 insists that he's constantly had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football however has just revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only just recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch enhancement

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his debut under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated 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 grocery store.

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

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

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more goals 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 youngster you want to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly plays a part.'

One of 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best 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 firmly insists that he's constantly had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football

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

'I have been included in a lot 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 simply have to keep it going and ensure it's my best season. That's the goal' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who gives you the confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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 an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined with Rap".

It's likewise 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 do not get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The 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 know the very first time he didn't understand what was stated but he took pleasure 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 don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder however 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's certainly 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 on 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 arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned 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 organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another little totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly good. It's like one big household.'

But first, 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 lots of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the capability to compete with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' 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