Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.
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'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
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'My daddy's in the home and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't wish to cut it off so I thought let's do something various that no one else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild because 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 mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football but has just revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.
'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with five objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch improvement
It's a plain 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 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 home town, where everything will be totally free in a regional supermarket.
'You understand what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an extreme video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In your home I was raised in, my papa naturally simply provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has inspired me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it's only right with the influence I have that I return too.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already 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 child you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.
'You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're positive 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 really 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 be reluctant when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' 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 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 launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have been involved in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it's my best start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the aim' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's great to have a manager 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 debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is described as an event 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 space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.
'I do not get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just 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 said it wasn't bad. I understand 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 great feedback from the group - even individuals who don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's plan at Everton was to construct 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 throughout 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 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 and that'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 arranged a trip 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 all set 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 wishes to take us out. That's another little totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really good. It resembles one huge household.'
But first, 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 was complete of credit for Fulham.
'It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi firmly insists.
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Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.
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Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
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