Once regarded as Arsenal’s future number nine, Balogun, 24, was shipped off to Monaco back in August 2023. It hasn’t been smooth sailing for the striker since moving to the Principality, but he’s starting to find form at the right time for both club and country.
After a relatively slow start to the season, Balogun has become crucial for Sebastien Pocognoli, even as his Monaco side have slipped from Ligue 1 title contenders to mid-table mediocrity in recent weeks, losing four of their last five games.
At international level, he appears to be Mauricio Pochettino’s first choice striker heading into next year’s World Cup, and it’s easy to see why, the USMNT aren’t exactly blessed with top quality forward options.
Balogun’s transformation under Pocognoli
Pocognoli, 38, took over from Adi Hutter just seven games into the 2025-26 season, and his tenure has so far been mixed. Monaco now sit in ninth, but, on an individual level, Balogun is certainly enjoying his time more than he was.
Under Hutter, Balogun had scored just once in seven games across all competitions, in their 3-2 Ligue 1 win over Strasbourg. It may have been an important goal, but that’s simply not a good enough record for a striker expected to lead a title chasing side.
Since Pocognoli took over, he now has six in his last 10, three in Ligue 1 and three in the Champions League, a tournament he’s really shining in; his 68th minute winner in the 1-0 victory over Galatasaray was a major highlight, especially considering he missed a sitter a few minutes earlier.
While strikers will ultimately, and rightfully, be judged by the number of goals they score, it’s not the only aspect of what makes a good number nine. Balogun’s underlying numbers show just how important he is to everything Monaco do.
Last season, one of his biggest issues was his lack of shots. Balogun has already matched his number of league shots on target (10) and goals (4), from an xG of 4.95, so he’s getting in much better positions.
He’s certainly a focal point for Monaco, but he’s not a target man by any stretch of the imagination, creating seven chances and 119 passes at a success rate of 73.5%, which is about right for a lone striker.
In possession is where he really shines. Balogun is a high-volume dribbler having completed ten at a success rate of 58.8% and only been dispossessed 16 times. His teammates clearly trust him when it matters too, as he has 66 touches in the opposition box.
Ready to lead the USMNT at the World Cup
It’s going to be a big year for US soccer. Expectations are high for Pochettino’s lads, and those home fans able to spend $4000 on a ticket to see their country play will at the very least want their money’s worth.
The USMNT have been crying out for a clinical striker for years, one could even argue that they’ve never really had one. In a recent friendly against Paraguay, who they will face in the World Cup group stage, he had just 15 touches but was in the right place at the right time to put them ahead and earn a 2-1 win in the 71st minute.
"He was decisive. He scored the winning goal. And at the World Cup, that's what you need to do. To me, it was fantastic because it wasn't easy to fight against the Paraguayan defence, and they're a very good team," Pochettino said following the match.
"I think it's a massive lesson for him and the players to play against this Paraguayan team in this type of game."
Those moments and a striker that can put away chances may well be the difference between going out in the groups or progressing to the knock-outs for the USMNT, and Balogun certainly has the ability to do it on the biggest stage of all.
