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Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids 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.
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'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
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'My dad's in your house 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 various that no one else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the moment but I like it. My papa's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

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 always had the frame of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football however has just revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's just just recently that I have actually been expressing 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 five goals in 15 matches

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

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teen 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 families for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where whatever will be complimentary in a regional grocery store.

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

'In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has motivated me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it's just ideal with the impact I have that I provide back also.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and want everyone to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being free and not being pushed about negative comments. 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 reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals 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 think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest 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 insists that he's always had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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 actually been involved in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it's my best start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the goal' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor 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 song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap".

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

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

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. The very 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 understand what was stated however 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 the individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to develop 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 disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely assisting us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which's brought a lot of togetherness, says 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 handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're ready to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly nice. It's like one big household.'

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

'It reveals we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi