Folarin Balogun: Baloguns Blazing

[RunTheTrap]

I have no doubts he will score goals, and from a marketing standpoint, having the next US superstar striker on your books looks tasty. But what about Balogun’s overall play? I worry that this team is suited for a false 9 type of striker rather than a proper CF.

 

[Sparrahork]

Why would Balogun go for England anyways? Just a bunch of inept managers one after another.

At least if he goes to the USA he'll be worshipped as a hero if he fills his potential and won't be slated by the media/fans every chance they get. Imagine being boo'd at halftime every tournament game? Imagine being judged by Gareth Southgate?

Easy choice.

Still should be England, balo was born in the usa but simply because his mum gave birth early whilst visiting family there.

There is a void behind kane, he is not getting any younger and the most obvious candidate to take over is Toney, but only after he has served a ban for his betting.

Playing for England will raise his profile (and thus potential revenue streams) more than if he plays for a country he has no real bond with. Soccer in the us is never going to make that breakthrough to make it a worthwhile career move

 

[The_Playmaker]

Balogun's stock is at his highest. He will probably reach 20 goals or there abouts. That translates to roughly 10 in England. If we spend big on a young striker, they need to be tracking for 25 - 30 in the Premier league. That's probably about 30+ in France.

We also have Jesus, Trossard an Martinelli. We need a different profile.

 

[Vinci]

Balogun's stock is at his highest. He will probably reach 20 goals or there abouts. That translates to roughly 10 in England.

That's such nonsense.

 

[ArsenalInMyHeart]

Balogun's stock is at his highest. He will probably reach 20 goals or there abouts. That translates to roughly 10 in England. If we spend big on a young striker, they need to be tracking for 25 - 30 in the Premier league. That's probably about 30+ in France.

We also have Jesus, Trossard an Martinelli. We need a different profile.

In France, its too easy to reach 20+ goals. Look at Lacazette, Pepe, Balogun etc... and the stats of Lacazette. It's too difficult to say Balogun will success in Premier League

 

[<<reed>>]

Balogun's stock is at his highest. He will probably reach 20 goals or there abouts. That translates to roughly 10 in England. If we spend big on a young striker, they need to be tracking for 25 - 30 in the Premier league. That's probably about 30+ in France.

We also have Jesus, Trossard an Martinelli. We need a different profile.

He's 21 ffs

 

[Sparrahork]

This could be England's future number 9 (or usmnt of course), and people here are saying we should sell him for an equivalent figure to Felix for 6 months, many of which felt we should pay that.

He has two years left on his contract, at least give him next year either at the club or loan to a premiership side to see if he could make it with us on a longer contract.

I have hated all the quoting of £100k a week for Eddie, that will however impact his sell on if to let him go and keep balo instead.

I think either way it makes sense to loan one to another premiership side and keep the other here, which one will be determined by market forces and who has more desire to prove themselves on loan.

Anyone harking back to failed loans at Leeds and Boro needs to remember both are much more accomplished players now. Both will walk into several premiership clubs next season as their main striker. Many will sit up and take notice as to how many goals balo has achieved in an otherwise poor side.

 

[GoonerJeeves]

He's 21 ffs

AM equivalent age of 32, getting on.

 

[Vinci]

AM equivalent age of 32, getting on.

Won't be long now until people start giving up their seat on the bus for him.

 

[Tir Na Nog]

A-M never ceases to amaze me. Most strikers don't hit their peak till mid to late 20s. Some even excel well into their 30s.

 

[kofigunner]

Pretty sure Eddie Nketiah is Kenyan. His last name used to be Nkenyah but upon arrival he changed his name to appeal to Brits.

Nice try

 

[Rasmi]

Still should be England, balo was born in the usa but simply because his mum gave birth early whilst visiting family there.

There is a void behind kane, he is not getting any younger and the most obvious candidate to take over is Toney, but only after he has served a ban for his betting.

Playing for England will raise his profile (and thus potential revenue streams) more than if he plays for a country he has no real bond with. Soccer in the us is never going to make that breakthrough to make it a worthwhile career move

There is no void behind Kane. No other striker gets a look in as long as Kane is around. England took two strikers to the wc and the other striker got few mins. Even when losing to France the other striker didn’t get a minute

If he wants to play in the 2026 World Cup he would choose USA.

 

[TornadoTed]

A-M never ceases to amaze me. Most strikers don't hit their peak till mid to late 20s. Some even excel well into their 30s.

I think the odd freak like Haaland and Saka who are World class at 21 seriously warps people's opinions of youngsters. Being that good at that age is the anomaly not the rule.

 

[GDeep™]

There is no void behind Kane. No other striker gets a look in as long as Kane is around. England took two strikers to the wc and the other striker got few mins. Even when losing to France the other striker didn’t get a minute

If he wants to play in the 2026 World Cup he would choose USA.

It’s not JUST about playing in the WC, you want to be in a competitive side if you’ve got the chance, which he does with England.

Players always seem to hold on until major nations have decided upon them. Look at Grealish/Rice.

Nobody cares about the US outside the WC every 4 years, even then nobody cares about the US. Balogun isn’t picking the US to play 3 meaningful games every 4 years.

 

[GDeep™]

In France, its too easy to reach 20+ goals. Look at Lacazette, Pepe, Balogun etc... and the stats of Lacazette. It's too difficult to say Balogun will success in Premier League
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Nobody is saying his Ligue 1 form will mean anything definite in the PL, but it’s enough to warrant us persisting in him, in whatever way - English loan etc, cup player etc.

 

[A_G]

There is no void behind Kane. No other striker gets a look in as long as Kane is around. England took two strikers to the wc and the other striker got few mins. Even when losing to France the other striker didn’t get a minute

Maybe Southgate would play other strikers if he rated them highly enough. When Vardy, Ings, Abraham etc were around they got minutes even tho Kane was the undisputed starter.

This just seems like Balogun throwing a strip because he didn’t get picked in the senior side. They want continuity in the U21 before the Euros this summer, so it makes sense to keep him there for now.

 

[Rasmi]

It’s not JUST about playing in the WC, you want to be in a competitive side if you’ve got the chance, which he does with England.

Players always seem to hold on until major nations have decided upon them. Look at Grealish/Rice.

Nobody cares about the US outside the WC every 4 years, even then nobody cares about the US. Balogun isn’t picking the US to play 3 meaningful games every 4 years.

Every player want to play in the wc. That’s the ultimate dream. You can’t tell me being on the bench for England like Wilson was is better than being a starter for the USA. It’s unlikely that Balogun will ever be a starter for England let’s be honest. He is exact position Zaha was in and people said wait for England

 

[Rasmi]

Maybe Southgate would play other strikers if he rated them highly enough. When Vardy, Ings, Abraham etc were around they got minutes even tho Kane was the undisputed starter.

This just seems like Balogun throwing a strip because he didn’t get picked in the senior side. They want continuity in the U21 before the Euros this summer, so it makes sense to keep him there for now.

So Southgate rated every other English striker so little that he thought even in desperate situation when you need a goal no point of playing another striker? And if they want to continue from the u21 then nketiah is much more likely playing for England due to his amazing u21 record.

 

[A_G]

So Southgate rated every other English striker so little that he thought even in desperate situation when you need a goal no point of playing another striker? And if they want to continue from the u21 then nketiah is much more likely playing for England due to his amazing u21 record.

No, I mean the u21 want to keep their squad together so they can prepare for the Euros this summer. Wouldn’t have made sense to pick Balogun for the seniors and disrupt their preparations for the tournament.

 

[GDeep™]

Every player want to play in the wc. That’s the ultimate dream. You can’t tell me being on the bench for England like Wilson was is better than being a starter for the USA. It’s unlikely that Balogun will ever be a starter for England let’s be honest. He is exact position Zaha was in and people said wait for England

Yeah they want to play in the WC for a competitive nation. That’s why all these kids pick England, Holland, France, Germany etc.

Nobody is picking the US so they can play 3 WC group games every 4 years against Wales and Iran when you can get into better teams/squads.