When Folarin Balogen shows up for his one‑on‑one training sessions, his mentor, Saul Isaksson‑Hurst, has learned to adapt his approach. While a structured program can be laid out, Balogun – a driven and highly analytical player – often arrives with his own ideas and requests. "He’s incredibly serious and ambitious," Isaksson‑Hurst told Sky Sports.
"Sometimes he'll walk in and say, ‘I want to work on this specific thing.’ He isn’t shy about voicing what he wants to improve. We usually end up having a dialogue, a back‑and‑forth discussion." "He pushes me as much as I push him. It’s a pleasure to work with him because he always brings that intensity and mindset.
You instantly know you’re training with a top‑level professional because everything is done at 100% effort." This exchange offers a glimpse into the psyche of a player who has taken charge of his own progression, a trait that became evident when he sought out Isaksson‑Hurst after a challenging loan spell at Middlesbrough during his teenage years at Arsenal. Balogun returned from that stint having netted only three goals in 18 Championship appearances. He refused to let that modest return define his future.
"He wanted to do more, to get better," Isaksson‑Hurst explained. "He was very goal‑oriented and aspirational." Their partnership began that summer with an intensive block of sessions in London, focused on shaping Balogun’s profile as a classic number nine – a poacher with a keen instinct for finishing. The work covered both‑footed shooting, movement patterns, timing of runs, and the subtle nuances of positioning inside the box. The payoff became apparent during his loan to Stade de Reims, where he exploded for 22 goals in 39 matches, underscoring the value of the extra individualized work.
Now 25, Balogun continues to book sessions with Isaksson‑Hurst during off‑season periods and whenever his club schedule permits. His dedication has started to bear fruit on the biggest stages. After a controversial red card at the World Cup, Balogun still managed to score three goals in the tournament, reminding everyone of his quality. Those performances have reignited Premier League interest, with Everton reportedly monitoring a possible return to English football three years after his move from Arsenal to Monaco, where he has already tallied 31 goals in 91 outings.
Balogun’s career narrative is defined by bold choices. He stepped out of his comfort zone by moving to France – first on loan at Reims, then permanently with Monaco – and later switched his international allegiance from England to the United States, seeking the best platform for his ambitions.
"He just wants to compete at the highest level possible, on the biggest stage," says Isaksson‑Hurst, who has worked with several elite players after a stint as an academy coach. A return to the Premier League would thrust him back into the spotlight. "I don’t think he’ll crumble under pressure. In fact, I believe he’ll thrive.
That pressure is exactly what he craves. He constantly looks for marginal gains, doing the extra work to become the best striker he can be," the coach added. Balogun’s World Cup form was an extension of a prolific spell at Monaco, where he finished the season with 11 goals in 14 games, highlighted by a brace against Paris Saint‑Germain in the Champions League in February.
Yet his journey has not been without setbacks. After his £35 million transfer from Arsenal in 2023, he has faced injury spells and periods where he struggled to cement a regular starting place. Nevertheless, he has a long‑standing reputation for overcoming adversity.
Former Arsenal academy staff recall him as a tireless worker, while at Middlesbrough his dedication impressed manager Chris Wilder and assistant Alan Knill, who noted his mental resilience despite a difficult loan spell. "It’s part of the game," Isaksson‑Hurst observes.
"Those challenges helped shape him and, hopefully, will push him toward becoming one of the world’s best players." Over the years, the coach has watched Balogun’s mentality harden and mature. "He always had raw talent – a natural finisher – but he’s refined that skill and expanded other aspects of his game: timing, movement, how he arrives in the box, and his link‑up play." "Seeing him evolve from a young prospect to a fully‑fledged professional has been remarkable.
He was always ambitious; he reached out to me because he wanted more. In our recent sessions, his focus and seriousness about becoming one of the top number nines in world football were crystal clear.
He wants to prove he can perform at the highest level." That mindset has kept him on course even when circumstances were tough. Balogun also benefits from being a classic ‘fox in the box’ – a pure striker who thrives inside the penalty area, a profile that is increasingly rare in modern top‑flight football. Everton are not the only club craving a reliable goal‑scorer.
"Scoring is the hardest thing in football," Isaksson‑Hurst notes. "Balogun’s ability with both feet and his aerial prowess is exceptional. There aren’t many genuine number nines left. Many teams use wingers or attacking midfielders in that role, but Flo is a natural poacher.
Give him half a yard and he’ll punish you. That’s what sets him apart." Combined with his relentless ambition, this blend of natural finishing talent and a steel‑strong mentality makes Balogun a dangerous weapon for any team seeking a consistent goal threat.