When Folarin Balogi’s training sessions roll around, his personal coach, Saul Isaksson-Hurst, has learned to adapt his approach. While a structured programme is always on the table, Balogun’s intense, analytical nature means he frequently arrives with his own ideas about what to work on.
"He is incredibly serious and driven," Isaksson-Hurst told Sky Sports. "Sometimes he'll walk in and say, 'I want to focus on this specific area.' He never hesitates to voice his preferences. We end up having a dialogue, a back‑and‑forth, about the best way to proceed." "He pushes me just as much as I push him," the coach added.
"That dynamic is refreshing because he always brings a high‑level mentality and intensity. You instantly recognise that you're training with a top‑class player; the effort is always at 100 per cent." This exchange offers a window into the mindset of a young striker who has taken ownership of his own development.
The partnership began after a challenging loan spell at Middlesbrough during Balogun’s teenage years at Arsenal. In that stint he managed only three goals from 18 Championship appearances, a return that could have easily defined his early career.
Instead, he used the disappointment as fuel. "He wanted more, he wanted to improve," Isaksson-Hurst explained.
"He is a very goal‑oriented, aspirational type of player." Their first intensive sessions took place that summer in London, concentrating on the attributes of a classic number nine – a poacher with the ability to finish with both feet, perfect timing of runs, and intelligent movement inside the box. The coach described the work as "focused on his profile as a fox in the penalty area, honing his finishing, footwork, and positional sense." Balogun's subsequent loan to Stade de Reims proved the effectiveness of that extra effort.
In France he netted 22 goals in 39 matches, a prolific strike rate that attracted attention across Europe. Since that breakout season, the 25‑year‑old has continued to book regular sessions with Isaksson-Hurst, whether during the off‑season or whenever his club schedule allows a break. His dedication has begun to reap tangible rewards.
At the 2022 World Cup Balogun attracted controversy after receiving a red card, yet he also demonstrated his quality by scoring three goals in the tournament. Those performances have reignited interest from Premier League clubs, with Everton emerging as a leading suitor three years after his move from Arsenal to Monaco. In Monaco he has already tallied 31 goals in 91 appearances, confirming his status as a reliable scorer at the highest level.
Balogun's career narrative is defined by bold choices. He left the comfort of the Premier League for a loan spell in Ligue 1, later committing his international future to the United States instead of England. "He simply wants to compete at the highest possible level, on the biggest stages," noted Isaksson-Hurst, who has previously coached several elite players after a stint as an academy coach. A return to England would thrust him back into the spotlight, but his mentor believes the pressure would suit him.
"I don't see him struggling under that pressure. In fact, I think he would thrive.
He seeks those challenges, which is why he constantly looks for marginal gains and strives to become the best version of himself." Balogun's form at the World Cup was a natural continuation of an impressive run at Monaco, where he ended the season with 11 goals in 14 games, highlighted by a brace against Paris Saint‑Germain in the Champions League. Nevertheless, his £35 million transfer from Arsenal in 2023 has not been without obstacles. Injuries and occasional dips in starting‑lineup selection have tested his resolve, yet his track record shows a pattern of overcoming adversity.
Former Arsenal academy staff still recall him as a tireless worker, while his time at Middlesbrough earned the respect of manager Chris Wilder and assistant Alan Knill, who were impressed by his mental fortitude despite the difficulties he faced there. "It's part of the game," Isaksson-Hurst said. "He needed those challenges to grow and, hopefully, become one of the best players in the world." Over the years, the coach has witnessed Balogun's mental toughness harden into a defining trait. "He always had raw talent, a natural finishing instinct," Isaksson-Hurst observed.
"He has refined that skill and expanded other aspects of his game – timing, movement, the way he arrives in the box, and his link‑up play." Reflecting on Balogun's evolution from a promising youngster to a mature professional, the coach emphasized the significance of his mindset. "He was always ambitious. He reached out to me because he wanted to do more.
The recent sessions show how seriously he is focused on becoming one of the elite number nines in world football and proving he can succeed at the highest level." That relentless mentality has kept him on course even when external circumstances have been unfavorable. Moreover, his playing profile – a pure striker who thrives inside the opposition penalty area – is increasingly rare in modern top‑flight football, where many forwards are deployed in more fluid, wide‑oriented roles.
Everton, like several other clubs, are in search of a dependable goal‑getter. "Scoring is the hardest thing to do in football," Isaksson-Hurst remarked.
"Balogun's ability with both feet, his aerial prowess, and his instinctive positioning make him a unique asset." He added, "Many players labeled as number nines are actually wingers or attacking midfielders masquerading in that role. Flo is a genuine number nine, a fox in the box who can finish with minimal space. Give him a half‑yard and he'll punish the defense – that’s what sets him apart." When you combine that natural finishing talent with an unyielding, ambitious mindset, you get a dangerous combination that can tip the balance of any match. Balogun's story illustrates how a player can shape his own destiny by seeking out extra work, embracing challenges, and continually refining his craft, ensuring that his name remains synonymous with goal‑scoring excellence for years to come.