When Folarin Balogen shows up for his one‑on‑one training sessions, his coach Saul Isaksson‑Hurst has learned to adapt his approach. While the coach can lay out a meticulous program, Balogun – a driven and highly analytical player – often arrives with his own ideas about what to work on. "He's incredibly serious and highly motivated," Isaksson‑Hurst told Sky Sports. "Sometimes he'll walk in and say, 'I want to focus on this specific aspect.' He's not shy about voicing his preferences.
We usually have a dialogue and work through it together." "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 talent because everything is given at 100 percent." These comments give a window into the mindset of a striker who has taken ownership of his own development. That attitude first became evident when Balogun sought out Isaksson‑Hurst after a challenging loan spell at Middlesbrough during his teenage years at Arsenal.
Balogun returned from the Championship having scored just three times in 18 appearances. He was determined not to let that period define his career. "He wanted to improve, to do more," Isaksson‑Hurst explained.
"He was very goal‑oriented and ambitious." Their initial meetings took place that summer. "We spent an intensive few weeks in London concentrating on his profile as a number nine – a fox in the box with a natural instinct for finishing.
We worked on both‑footed shooting, movement patterns, timing of runs and similar nuances." The payoff was evident during his subsequent loan to Stade Reims, where he netted 22 goals in 39 matches, underscoring the value of the extra work. Now 25, Balogun continues to book sessions with Isaksson‑Hurst during off‑season periods and whenever his club schedule allows.
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 his quality under pressure. He is currently being linked with a return to the Premier League – this time with Everton – three years after leaving Arsenal for Monaco, where he has recorded 31 goals in 91 outings.
Balogun’s career has been defined by bold, sometimes unconventional choices. He left the comfort of the English system by moving to France on loan, later committing his international future to the United States instead of England.
"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 move back to England would thrust him back into the spotlight. "I don’t see him crumbling under pressure; I think he would thrive. That's exactly what he seeks – the challenge, the pressure, the chance to prove himself.
That's why he adds the extra work, looking for marginal gains and striving to become the best striker he can be," the coach added. Balogun’s form at the World Cup was a continuation 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.
However, his £35 million transfer from Arsenal in 2023 has not been without difficulty. Injuries and occasional loss of a starting berth have tested his resolve, but his history of overcoming setbacks suggests he will navigate these hurdles as well.
Former Arsenal academy staff still remember him as a tireless worker, while at Middlesbrough his then‑manager Chris Wilder and assistant Alan Knill were impressed by his mental strength despite a tough loan spell. "It’s part of the game," Isaksson‑Hurst noted. "He needed those challenges to grow and, hopefully, become one of the world’s best players." Over several 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 had raw talent and a natural finishing instinct.
He’s refined that skill and also expanded other facets – timing, movement, how he arrives in the box and his link‑up play. Watching him evolve from a young prospect to a fully‑fledged professional has been remarkable. He reached out to me because he wanted to do more, and his recent sessions show how focused he is on becoming one of the premier number nines in world football." That mindset has kept him on track even when circumstances have been adverse. Balogun also benefits from being a classic out‑and‑out striker – a profile that is becoming increasingly rare at the highest level.
Everton, like many clubs, are desperate for a reliable goal‑scorer. "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 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 half a yard and he will punish you.
That’s what sets him apart." Combined with his relentless ambition, this blend of natural finishing talent and a steel‑sharp mindset makes Balogun a dangerous prospect for any top‑flight side. His journey from a struggling loan spell to a World Cup performer and a sought‑after Premier League target illustrates how self‑directed improvement, mental resilience, and a willingness to step out of comfort zones can forge a path to the very top of the game.