When Folarin Balogun shows up for his one‑on‑one training sessions, his mentor, Saul Isaksson‑Hurst, has learned to adapt his coaching style. While a structured program can be prepared in advance, Balogun’s own intense, analytical nature means he frequently arrives with fresh ideas of his own.
"He’s incredibly serious and highly motivated," Isaksson‑Hurst told Sky Sports. "Sometimes he’ll walk in and say, ‘I want to work on this specific aspect.’ He never hesitates to voice what he wants to improve.
We usually have a dialogue, a back‑and‑forth discussion about the plan. "He pushes me just as much as I push him. It’s a pleasure to work with him because he always brings that fierce mentality, that relentless intensity.
You can tell you’re training with a top‑class player when every drill is executed at 100 percent." These remarks provide a window into the mindset of a footballer who has taken charge of his own evolution, a habit that began after a challenging loan spell at Middlesbrough during his teenage years at Arsenal. Balogun returned from that stint having netted only three times in 18 Championship appearances, a figure he was determined not to let define his future.
"He wanted more. He wanted to improve," Isaksson‑Hurst explained. "He’s a very goal‑oriented, aspirational individual." Their partnership started that summer with an intensive block of sessions in London, focused specifically on shaping Balogun’s profile as a classic number nine – a poacher who thrives in the penalty area. The drills emphasized two‑footed finishing, precise timing of runs, and the subtle movements that allow a striker to lose his marker and arrive at the right place at the right time.
The payoff was evident during Balogun’s subsequent loan to Stade de Reims, where he exploded for 22 goals in 39 Ligue 1 matches. That prolific season underscored the value of the extra work he was putting in with Isaksson‑Hurst. Now 25, Balogun continues to schedule sessions with his coach during off‑season periods and whenever his club calendar permits, treating each meeting as an opportunity to fine‑tune his craft. His dedication has begun 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, proving that his technical abilities translate to international pressure. Those performances have reignited interest from Premier League clubs, with Everton emerging as a leading suitor three years after Balogun left Arsenal for Monaco. In Monaco, he has already amassed 31 goals in 91 appearances, confirming his status as a reliable scorer. Balogun’s career trajectory is marked by bold, sometimes unconventional choices.
He left the familiarity of Arsenal for a loan in France, later committing to a permanent move abroad, and even switched his international allegiance from England to the United States. "He simply 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 England’s top flight would thrust Balogun back into the spotlight. "I don’t think he would crumble under the pressure; I think he would thrive," Isaksson‑Hurst added. "That pressure is exactly what he seeks.
He constantly looks for marginal gains, extra work, and the chance to become the best version of himself." His recent form at Monaco – 11 goals in 14 games, highlighted by a brace against Paris Saint‑Germain in the Champions League – dovetails with his World Cup exploits, illustrating a consistent scoring rhythm. Yet his journey has not been without setbacks.
Since his £35 million transfer from Arsenal in 2023, he has battled injuries and periods where he struggled to cement a starting berth. Nevertheless, Balogun’s history of overcoming adversity is well‑documented.
Former Arsenal academy staff remember him as a tireless worker, while at Middlesbrough his determination 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 reflected. "He needed those challenges to grow and, hopefully, become one of the world’s best players." Over the years, Isaksson‑Hurst has watched Balogun’s mental toughness harden, describing it as the most striking element of his development. "He always had raw talent, a natural finishing instinct.
He’s refined that, but he’s also expanded other facets – timing, movement, link‑up play, the way he arrives in the box." Seeing Balogun evolve from a promising youngster to a mature professional, the coach says, is remarkable. "He was always ambitious. He reached out to me because he wanted to do more. In our recent sessions, his focus and seriousness were crystal clear – he wants to be one of the top number nines in world football and is willing to put in the work to prove it." That mindset has kept him on course even when circumstances turned challenging.
As an out‑and‑out striker, his instinctive poaching ability is increasingly rare in modern football, where many teams favor versatile forwards who drift wide. Everton, like many clubs, are desperate for a reliable goal‑getter. "Scoring is the hardest thing in football," Isaksson‑Hurst emphasized. "Balogun’s ability with both feet and his aerial prowess is exceptional.
There aren’t many true number nines left. Most are converted wingers or attacking midfielders. Flo is a natural fox in the box – give him a half‑yard and he’ll punish you.
That’s what sets him apart." Combine that natural finishing talent with the relentless ambition that has driven him from Arsenal’s academy to the French league and now potentially back to England, and you have a dangerous combination for any defense. Balogun’s story illustrates how a player’s willingness to seek out extra work, embrace adversity, and continuously refine his skill set can carve a path to the very top of the game.