When Folarin Balogun steps onto the pitch for his one‑on‑one training sessions, his mentor Saul Isaksson‑Hurst has learned to adopt a flexible approach. While a structured programme can be drafted in advance, Balogun – a fiercely analytical and driven individual – often arrives with his own ideas and objectives. "He takes his work very seriously and is incredibly motivated," Isaksson‑Hurst told Sky Sports. "Sometimes he'll walk in and say, 'I want to focus on this particular aspect today.' He's never shy about voicing what he wants to improve.
We discuss it, we debate, and we reach a consensus together." "He pushes me just as much as I push him. Working with him is rewarding because he brings a relentless intensity and a winner's mindset. You instantly recognise that you're training with a top‑level talent because the energy is always at 100 percent." These remarks shed light on a player who has taken ownership of his own development, 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’s stint at Middlesbrough yielded only three goals in 18 Championship appearances, a modest return that could have defined his early career.
Instead, he refused to let the numbers dictate his future. "He wanted to do more, to become better," Isaksson‑Hurst explained. "He was very goal‑oriented and ambitious." The pair began their collaboration that summer with an intensive block of sessions in London, concentrating on the attributes that define a classic number nine – a poacher with a keen eye for goal. They worked on two‑footed finishing, the timing of runs, movement patterns inside the box, and the subtle nuances of positioning that separate a good striker from a great one.
Balogun’s subsequent loan to Stade de Reims proved the value of that extra work. In France he found the back of the net 22 times in 39 games, a prolific strike rate that reignited his confidence and attracted attention across Europe. Now 25, he continues to book regular sessions with Isaksson‑Hurst during off‑season periods and whenever his club schedule permits, treating each meeting as an opportunity to fine‑tune his craft. His dedication has produced tangible rewards.
After a controversial red card at the World Cup, Balogun demonstrated his quality on the global stage by scoring three goals in the tournament, reaffirming his reputation as a lethal finisher. Those performances have sparked renewed Premier League interest, with Everton reportedly keen to secure his services three years after his departure from Arsenal for Monaco, where he has already netted 31 times in 91 appearances.
Balogun’s career narrative is marked by bold choices. He stepped out of his comfort zone by embracing a loan move to Reims, later committing to a permanent transfer to Monaco, and even switching his international allegiance from England to the United States.
Each decision reflects a desire to test himself at the highest possible level. "He simply wants to compete on the biggest stages available," says Isaksson‑Hurst, who has worked with several elite players after a stint as an academy coach. "A return to the Premier League would put him back in the limelight, but I don’t see him crumbling under pressure. In fact, I think he would thrive.
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." Balogun’s form at the World Cup was a natural extension of a remarkable scoring run at Monaco, where he finished the season with 11 goals in just 14 league matches. A standout moment came in February when he scored a brace against Paris Saint‑Germain in the Champions League, underscoring his ability to deliver in high‑stakes encounters.
The £35 million transfer from Arsenal in 2023 was not without its challenges. Injuries and occasional dips in form have tested his resilience, yet Balogun’s history shows a pattern of overcoming adversity. Former Arsenal academy staff recall him as a tireless worker, while his time at Middlesbrough left a lasting impression on manager Chris Wilder and assistant Alan Knill, who praised his mental fortitude despite a difficult spell.
"Those challenges are part of the game," Isaksson‑Hurst observes. "They forced him to grow and, ultimately, aim to become one of the world’s best." Over the years, the coach has watched Balogun’s mentality harden and mature. He describes this mental evolution as the most striking element of the striker’s development. "He always possessed raw talent – a natural finisher.
But he has refined his technique, improved his timing, movement, and link‑up play. Watching him transition from a raw youngster to a focused professional has been remarkable.
He contacted me initially because he wanted more, and that ambition has never waned." In recent sessions, Isaksson‑Hurst noted Balogun’s unwavering focus on becoming one of the elite number nines in world football, willing to put in the work required to prove his worth at the highest level. That mindset has kept him on course even when external circumstances have been less than ideal. Moreover, his profile as a classic poacher – a striker who thrives inside the opponent’s penalty area – is increasingly rare in modern football, where many teams favor versatile forwards who drift wide or drop deep. Everton’s interest highlights a broader need for a reliable goal scorer.
"Scoring is the hardest skill in football," the coach added. "Balogun’s ability with both feet, his aerial presence, and his instinctive positioning set him apart. Many forwards labeled as number nines are actually wingers or attacking midfielders playing out of position. Flo is a genuine fox in the box; give him a half‑yard and he will punish you.
That uniqueness makes him a valuable asset." When combined with his relentless ambition, Balogun’s natural finishing ability creates a potent mix that can trouble any defence. His journey—from a struggling loan spell to a prolific striker in France, to a World Cup performer, and now a potential Premier League return—exemplifies how self‑belief, hard work, and a willingness to embrace challenges can forge a path to the top. As his career continues to unfold, Balogun remains a testament to the power of taking charge of one’s own development, proving that a natural talent, when paired with disciplined effort and a growth‑oriented mindset, can indeed shape a player’s destiny.