When Folarin Balogun shows up for his one‑on‑one training sessions, his mentor Saul Isaksson‑Hurst has learned to adopt a flexible approach. While the coach can lay out a meticulous program, Balogun – a fiercely analytical and driven individual – 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.’ He isn’t shy about voicing his preferences.
We usually have a dialogue, a back‑and‑forth, about the best way to proceed. "He challenges me just as much as I try to challenge him. It’s a pleasure to work with him because he always brings that intensity, that mindset.
You instantly know you’re training with a top‑level player because everything is delivered at 100 percent." This exchange offers a glimpse into the psyche of a striker who has taken charge of his own evolution, a habit that began after a tough loan spell at Middlesbrough during his teenage years at Arsenal. Balogun returned from that stint having netted only three times in 18 Championship appearances, a record he refused to let define his future.
"He wanted more, he wanted to improve," recalls Isaksson‑Hurst. "He’s a very goal‑oriented and aspirational type of person." Their partnership kicked off that summer with an intensive block of sessions in London, concentrating on the attributes that make a classic number nine – a poacher in the box, comfortable with both feet, adept at timing runs and finishing chances. The coach worked on movement patterns, positioning, and the subtle nuances of striking from different angles. Those early weeks laid the groundwork for what would become a long‑term collaboration.
Balogun’s next loan, this time to French side Stade Reims, proved the merit of that extra work. In the 2022‑23 season he scored 22 goals in 39 matches, a prolific return that highlighted how the extra training paid dividends. At 25, he continues to book sessions with Isaksson‑Hurst during off‑season periods and whenever his club schedule permits, treating the individual work as an essential supplement to his regular team training.
His dedication has borne fruit on the biggest stages. After a controversial red card at the World Cup, Balogun demonstrated his class by scoring three goals in the tournament, reaffirming his reputation as a clinical finisher. The performances have reignited Premier League interest, with Everton reportedly eyeing a return to English football three years after his move from Arsenal to Monaco, where he has amassed 31 goals in 91 appearances. Balogun’s career narrative is marked by bold choices.
He stepped out of his comfort zone by embracing a loan to Reims, later committing to a permanent move to Monaco, and even switching his international allegiance from England to the United States. Each decision reflects a desire to test himself at higher levels and on larger platforms. "He simply wants to compete at the highest possible level, on the biggest stage," says Isaksson‑Hurst, who has guided several elite players after a stint as an academy coach.
A return to the Premier League would thrust Balogun back into the spotlight, a scenario the coach believes the striker would thrive under. "I don’t see him crumbling under pressure. He thrives on it. That’s why he seeks extra work, marginal gains, and the chance to become the best version of himself." The striker’s recent form at Monaco underscores his consistency.
He ended the latest campaign with 11 goals in 14 games, a run sparked by a 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 faced injury spells and periods where he struggled to secure a regular starting berth. Nevertheless, Balogun’s track record of overcoming adversity is well established.
Former Arsenal academy staff remember him as a tireless worker, while his time at Middlesbrough left a similar impression on manager Chris Wilder and assistant Alan Knill, who praised his mental resilience despite the challenges he encountered there. "It’s part of the game," notes Isaksson‑Hurst.
"He needed those obstacles to grow and, hopefully, become one of the world’s best." Over the years, the coach has observed a hardening of Balogun’s mentality, describing it as the most striking element of his development. "He always had raw talent and was a natural finisher. He’s refined that skill and expanded other facets of his game – timing, movement, the way he arrives in the box, and his link‑up play.
Watching him evolve from a young prospect into a mature striker, his ambition stands out. He reached out to me because he wanted more. The recent sessions show how focused and serious he is about becoming one of the premier number nines in world football." That mindset has kept him on course even when circumstances have been difficult.
Balogun also benefits from being a true out‑and‑out striker – a rarity in modern top‑flight football where many forwards operate more as wide or hybrid players. Everton, like several other clubs, are in search of a reliable goal scorer. "Scoring is the hardest thing in football," adds Isaksson‑Hurst.
"Balogun’s ability with both feet and his aerial presence is exceptional. Not many number nines possess that blend. Many teams field players who are technically wingers or midfielders masquerading as strikers. Flo is a genuine fox in the box; give him half a yard and he will punish you.
That’s what sets him apart." When combined with his relentless ambition, this unique skill set creates a potent combination that makes him a dangerous asset for any team seeking a proven finisher.