Folarin Balogun: AS Monaco Standout Hitting His Stride
One To Watch
Folarin Balogun is in his second season with AS Monaco and has become a key player for the team, who are currently leading Ligue 1 as they head into the FIFA international break.
After a slow start to his 2024-25 season, Balogun has begun to heat up from a goal-scoring perspective. The 23-year-old has scored in his last three league matches, all of which resulted in wins for Monaco.
Earlier this month, Balogun spoke to the media before the UEFA Champions League contest against GNK Dinamo Zagreb and noted the confidence increasing after having a challenging start to the campaign.
"I have obviously gained confidence by scoring in our last two league games. And I feel that the team and the coach are also giving me theirs. It is important to seize every opportunity to perform."
Balogun is one of the plethora of attackers that Les Rouge et Blanc have at their disposal, so when one player has a rough stretch, he knows that there's depth behind him to pick up the slack. Breel Embolo, Eliesse Ben Seghir, George Ilenikhena, Takumi Minamino, and Maghnes Akliouche have all contributed with goals this season for Adi HĂĽtter and his team.
The American also spoke about not having a preference regarding being a lone striker or having a partnership because each opponent brings different traits that the team needs to prepare to exploit. One match could result in HĂĽtter using one No. 9 and the following game might call for two.
"You have to understand that each match is different, depending on the opponent. Sometimes it is better to be able to play with one striker and sometimes it is better to play with two. It really depends on the type of match. But in the end, I have no preference, I like to play in both systems, and it is also by alternating that we learn the most on a tactical level."
Balogun received a call-up to the United State's national team under new manager Mauricio Pochettino for this FIFA international window. This call-up was the striker's first chance to impress the former Paris Saint-Germain manager, but the opportunity will have to wait after the forward left Saturday's win over Stade Rennais with an injury.
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