When Folarin Balogun shows up for his one‑on‑one sessions, his coach Saul Isaksson‑Hurst has learned to adapt his approach. While a structured training plan is always on the table, Balogun’s keen, analytical nature means he frequently arrives with his own ideas and requests.
"He’s incredibly serious and driven," Isaksson‑Hurst told Sky Sports. "Sometimes he'll walk in and say, ‘I want to work on this specific thing.’ He isn’t shy about voicing his preferences. We usually end up having a dialogue, a back‑and‑forth, about the best way to tackle it.
"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 dealing with a top‑class player because the session is always at 100 percent." This exchange offers a window into the psyche of a footballer who takes ownership of his own progress. The partnership began after a challenging loan spell at Middlesbrough when Balogun was still a teenager at Arsenal.
During that stint he managed only three goals in 18 Championship appearances, a return that left him determined not to be defined by that modest output. "He wanted more. He wanted to improve," Isaksson‑Hurst explained. "He’s a very goal‑oriented, aspirational type of person." Their first meetings took place that summer, a concentrated period of work in London focused on polishing the attributes of a classic number nine – a poacher with a knack for finishing.
The coach emphasized both‑footed shooting, timing of runs, and movement inside the box as core elements of the program. Balogun’s subsequent loan to Stade de Reims proved the effectiveness of that extra effort.
In France he found the net 22 times in 39 games, a dramatic turnaround that highlighted how targeted training can translate into real‑world results. At 25, he continues to book sessions with Isaksson‑Hurst during off‑seasons and whenever his schedule permits, treating each encounter as a chance to fine‑tune his craft. His dedication has begun to reap tangible rewards.
After a controversial red card at the World Cup, Balogen demonstrated his quality on the global stage by scoring three goals in the tournament. Those performances have reignited Premier League interest, with Everton among the clubs linked to a possible return to English football – a move that would bring him back to the league three years after leaving Arsenal for Monaco, where he has already tallied 31 goals in 91 appearances.
Balogun’s career is marked by bold choices. He stepped out of his comfort zone by moving to France, first on loan at Reims, and later by switching his international allegiance from England to the United States.
"He wants to compete at the highest level, on the biggest stage possible," says Isaksson‑Hurst, who has previously coached several elite players after a stint in academy development. A Premier League comeback would thrust him back into the spotlight, but his coach believes the pressure would suit him perfectly.
"I don’t see him struggling under that pressure. In fact, I think he would thrive. That’s exactly what he seeks – the challenge, the chance to prove he belongs among the world’s best strikers." Balogun’s World Cup form was a continuation of a prolific spell at Monaco, where he finished the season with 11 goals in 14 matches, including a brace against Paris Saint‑Germain in the Champions League.
Yet his path has not been without setbacks. Since his £35 million transfer from Arsenal in 2023, he has faced injuries and periods where he struggled to secure a regular starting spot. Nevertheless, he has a long‑standing reputation for overcoming adversity. Former Arsenal academy staff remember him as a tireless worker, while at Middlesbrough he impressed manager Chris Wilder and assistant Alan Knill with his mental resilience despite the difficulties he encountered there.
"It’s part of the game," Isaksson‑Hurst reflects. "Those challenges helped him develop, and hopefully, they’ll push him toward becoming one of the best players on the planet." Over several years, the coach has watched Balogun’s mentality harden and mature, describing it as the most striking element of his evolution. "He always had raw talent – a natural finisher. He’s refined that skill and expanded other facets of his game: timing, movement, the way he times his runs into the box, and his link‑up play.
"Seeing him grow from a young prospect to the man he is today, his ambition stands out. He reached out to me initially because he wanted to do more. In our recent sessions, his focus and seriousness were evident – he wants to be one of the world’s top number nines and is willing to put in the work to prove it." That mindset has kept him on course even when circumstances were tough. As a classic poacher who thrives inside the opponent’s penalty area, Balogun offers a rarity in modern top‑level football, where many teams favor versatile forwards over pure finishers.
Everton’s need for a reliable goal scorer underscores the value of his skill set. "Scoring is the hardest thing in football," notes Isaksson‑Hurst. "Balogun’s ability with both feet and his aerial prowess is exceptional. There aren’t many true number nines left.
"Most players 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’ll punish you. That’s what sets him apart." Combined with his relentless ambition, this blend of natural finishing talent and cultivated mentality makes him a dangerous prospect for any club seeking a proven goal‑getter.
His journey from a struggling loan spell to a World Cup performer and a sought‑after Premier League target exemplifies how self‑directed improvement, guided expertise, and an unyielding desire to excel can forge a path to the top of the footballing world.