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.
'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
'My dad'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 want to suffice off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist 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 easy.'
It's a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi 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 over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.
'It's constantly 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 people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
Alexi Iwobi has actually made his best start to a Premier League season with five 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 teen who made his launching under Arsene Wenger
This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out 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 free in a local supermarket.
'You know what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an extreme game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally just returned. To individuals 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 influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only best with the impact I have that I return as well.'
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 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a youngster you desire to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.
'You have to be strong psychologically. 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 individuals that back you, it actually plays a part.'
Among 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 last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League so far' and he agrees.
The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the state of mind 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 debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have actually been included in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it's my best start to the season - I just need to keep it going and ensure it's my finest 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 offers you the confidence to do that,' he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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?' which is described as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined 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 because 2003-04.
'I don't get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't assist himself, Iwobi exposes.
'He is tapping the manager 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 know the very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated but he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the team - even the individuals who do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's plan at Everton was to develop 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 take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise 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 helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.
Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later 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 eat. We organised 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 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 desires to take us out. That's another bit of totally free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's actually good. It's like one big household.'
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently 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 ability to contend with anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi firmly insists.
Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.
FulhamAlex Iwobi