Monaco's Folarin Balogun rediscovering form in crucial World Cup year
21 goals in 37 Ligue 1 McDonald's games for Reims earned Folarin Balogun a €40m move to Monaco back in the summer of 2023. Whilst the USMNT forward has yet to reach those same heights since moving to the Principality club, his form in the opening gameweeks of the current Ligue 1 McDonald's campaign are a good omen.
A friutful loan
Coming through the prestigious Hale End academy, Balogun struggled to establish himself in the first-team at Arsenal. Instead, he was forced out on loan, firstly to Middlesbrough and then to Reims. It was at the latter that the New York City-born forward really came into his own.
His form under Will Still that year prompted a first senior internatinal call-up for the forward, who has since gone on to make 17 appearances for the USMNT, netting five goals in that time.
Instead of returning to establish himself at Arsenal, Balogun made a return to Ligue 1 McDonald's the following summer, joining Monaco. However, Les Monégasques' vastly different play-style naturally required a period of adaptation.
"Here in Monaco, we look to build more, with possession-based attacks. That's new. Monaco being one of the best teams in the division, teams set up differently," admitted Balogun midway through his first season at the club.
Towards the end of his debut campaign at the Stade Louis II, he added, "For me, it's been a period of adaptation. Now, I expect big things of myself."
And Balogun started last season well. Having been in competition with Wissam Ben Yedder one season earlier, Balogun was now the uncontested first-choice No.9. In September, he began to find his feet, netting in three consecutive Ligue 1 McDonald's games.
However, it was after a goal in a 2-1 win over Rennes in early October that the former Arsenal man suffered a cruel blow, suffering a shoulder dislocation that would ultimately require surgery.
Three goals in the last three rounds for Balogun 🇺🇸🔥 pic.twitter.com/SV5VBGPKat
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) October 6, 2024
A brief return against Marseille at the start of December was followed by a long period on the sidelines. He would return at the end of March, and would go on to score one more goal before an ankle injury proved to be curtains on his difficult 2024-25 campaign.
The Hale End connection
With the injury issues behind him, this season represents a fresh start. Aligned alongside Mika Biereth from the start against Strasbourg over the weekend, the Hale End connection that the two former Arsenal academy products share was clear to see.
Balogun not only netted his first goal of the Ligue 1 McDonald's season in the 3-1 win, he also turned in a complete performance, with excellent runs in behind and crucial link-up play. "I felt more comfortable out there and here in Monaco and so hopefully the performances will continue to prove this," he said on Sunday.
Balogun will be hoping that both he and Biereth can combine to get the best out of each other in what is a particularly special season for the former. "I think any season ending in a World Cup is a special season, especially with it being in America (USA, Canada, Mexico), so there is added motivation for myself," said the Monaco forward.
For now, Balogun has said he is fully focused on the "collective goals", which include another podium finish in Ligue 1 McDonald's. With a home World Cup coming up, however, he will be looking to head across 'The Pond' at the end of the campaign, full of confidence.
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