When Folarin Balogen shows up for his one‑on‑one sessions, his mentor Saul Isaksson‑Hurst has learned to adapt his coaching style. While a structured programme can be prepared in advance, Balogun—an intensely analytical and driven athlete—frequently arrives with his own ideas about what he wants to improve.
"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 movement.’ He’s never shy about voicing his priorities. We usually end up having a dialogue, a back‑and‑forth, to decide the best focus for the session. "He pushes me just as much as I push him.
It’s a privilege to work with someone who brings that level of intensity and mindset every time. You instantly know you’re training with a world‑class talent because the effort is always at 100 percent." These remarks offer a glimpse into the mindset of a player who has taken ownership of his own development, 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 goals in 18 Championship appearances, a statistic he refused to let define his future.
"He wanted more. He wanted to improve," Isaksson‑Hurst explained. "He’s a very goal‑oriented, ambitious individual." Their first collaborative sessions took place that summer, consisting of an intensive week‑long camp in London that zeroed in on the attributes of a classic number nine: two‑footed finishing, precise timing of runs, and intelligent movement inside the box. The coach worked on refining Balogun’s instinctive poaching abilities, honing his spatial awareness and the subtle nuances that separate a good striker from a great one.
Balogun’s subsequent loan to Stade de Reims proved the payoff of that extra work. In France’s Ligue 1 he struck 22 goals in 39 matches, a prolific return that underscored the value of his personalized training regime.
Now 25, he continues to book sessions with Isaksson‑Hurst during off‑season windows and whenever his club schedule permits, treating each meeting as an opportunity to add marginal gains to his game. His dedication has borne tangible results. After a controversial red card at the World Cup, Balogun rebounded by scoring three goals in the tournament, demonstrating that his technical skill translates to the biggest stages. Rumours now link him with a return to the Premier League, this time with Everton, three years after he departed Arsenal for Monaco.
In Monaco he has already amassed 31 goals in 91 appearances, confirming his reputation as a reliable scorer. Balogun’s career is marked by bold, sometimes unconventional choices. He left the safety of Arsenal’s academy to test himself in Ligue 1, first on loan at Reims and later by committing to a permanent move to Monaco. He also switched his international allegiance from England to the United States, a decision that reflects his willingness to step outside his comfort zone in pursuit of higher challenges.
"He simply wants to compete at the highest level possible, on the biggest stage," says Isaksson‑Hurst, who has previously coached several elite players after a stint as an academy coach. A return to England’s top flight would thrust Balogun back into the spotlight, a scenario his mentor believes he will thrive under. "I don’t see him crumbling under pressure. In fact, I think he’ll excel.
That pressure is exactly what he seeks. He constantly looks for ways to gain those extra edges and become the best version of himself." Balogun’s form at the World Cup was a continuation of an impressive run at Monaco, where he concluded the season with 11 goals in 14 league games, including a memorable brace against Paris Saint‑Germain in the Champions League. Yet his journey has not been without setbacks. Since his £35 million transfer from Arsenal in 2023, he has grappled with injuries and periods of limited playing time, moments that have tested his resolve.
Former Arsenal academy staff still 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 Balogun’s mental fortitude despite a difficult loan spell. "It’s part of the game," Isaksson‑Hurst reflected.
"Those challenges were essential for his growth and will ultimately help him become one of the world’s best." Over several years, Isaksson‑Hurst has witnessed a hardening of Balogun’s mentality, describing it as the most striking element of his evolution. "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.
Watching him transition from a promising youngster to a mature professional, his mental development stands out. He reached out to me because he wanted more, and he’s never stopped chasing that ambition." In recent sessions, the coach observed Balogun’s laser‑focused determination to become one of the premier number nines in world football. "He’s serious, he’s focused, and he wants to prove he can perform at the highest level," Isaksson‑Hurst noted. This mindset has kept him on course even when circumstances have been adverse.
Balogun’s profile is increasingly rare in modern football: a pure centre‑forward who thrives inside the penalty area, a “fox in the box” who can finish with either foot and is equally dangerous in the air. Everton, and indeed any top club, will value such a player. "Scoring is the hardest skill in football," Isaksson‑Hurst added. "His ability to finish with both feet and his aerial prowess set him apart.
Most modern forwards are either wide players or hybrid numbers, but Flo is a genuine, instinctive striker. Give him a half‑yard of space and he will punish you." When combined with his relentless ambition, this blend of natural talent and cultivated mentality creates a formidable combination. Balogun’s journey illustrates how a player can shape his own destiny by embracing challenges, seeking specialized guidance, and continuously refining his craft.
As the transfer window approaches, clubs across Europe will be watching closely to see where this determined goal‑scorer lands next, but one thing is clear: his relentless pursuit of excellence ensures he will remain a threat to any defence he faces.