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Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually helped his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.
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'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
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'My father's in your 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 thought let's do something various that no one else has. I literally told the hair stylist to 'reveal 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 easy.'

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching 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 only revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a season with 5 objectives in 15 matches

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

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 eliminated 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 hometown, where everything will be totally free in a regional grocery store.

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

'In your house I was raised in, my daddy naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually inspired me to give to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's only right with the influence I have that I return as well.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more goals 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 desire to do your best to impress the manager and want everybody to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative comments. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he states.

'You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed 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.'

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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva said 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 always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football

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

'I have been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it's my finest start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's great to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap".

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

'I don't get it on in the dressing space 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 song. The very 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 stated it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't understand what was stated but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the group - even the people 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 but he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely 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 joy has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's state of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which's brought a great deal 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 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), returned 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 team meal is arranged 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 bit of totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It's like one big family.'

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 game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the capability to compete with anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi