He was billed as the star player of their u21s when we played them last break. Didn’t do much in the game though.
I must say, that looked by far the poorest Germany under 21 side I can remember us ever playing, which isn't really a surprise I guess given its composed mainly of this downturn generation. Still, they managed to stumble their way through to finals of the Under 21 Euro's in recent years despite being poor on paper, even if those squads haven't amounted to much after.
That Germany U20 team we just beat 2-0 was made up of players a year group higher up than our team. Not a great showing from them there either knowing that.
You know having moved here some time ago, football still hasn't truly become mainstream in the states. Most people who do follow the sport care more about the international game than following a club. That said, the guys at work I talk to, are really passionate about the "USMNT" The federation even has baseball teams trying their hand at recruiting him... Thank you! @Yankees ⚽️🤝⚾️ pic.twitter.com/0BOLAefnK0— Balogun (@balogun) March 24, 2023
The whole thing is getting quiet bizarre. Can't recall ever seeing a player do this kind of publicity tour before flirting with their dual national status. If he's going to commit for the US, just do it. At the moment it just comes across as an extremely childish attempt to get attention. Ironically he's probably finished any chance of him being picked by England next break now, can't imagine Southgate will want to be rewarding this kind of behaviour (and implicitly encouraging others to do the same).
Yeah, it’s getting to the point where I’m thinking he just needs to switch. You can give him the benefit of the doubt on him talking about wanting to play for Nigeria or withdrawing from the u21s with injury but then going on tour of the US straight after is a bit much.
I'm actually starting to see why the Irish were so annoyed with rice and Grealish when they were making their decisions. One minute, Grealish was winning an award and then he was playing for England. Balogun should just make a decision already.
Southgate also confirmed he is yet to hold talks with Folarin Balogun over the Arsenal striker’s international future. The England Under-21 international, who is on loan at Reims, is also eligible to play for the USA and Nigeria. The USA interim coach, Anthony Hudson, has spoken to Balogun, who has scored 17 goals in Ligue 1 this season. “It is a classic thing,” Southgate said of Balogun, who pulled out of the under-21 squad through injury. “Young players progress and you cannot perhaps give them the immediate opportunity that they would like and another country perhaps can offer them. It is up to the player to weigh up where his heart feels. Is he prepared to wait a little bit if he backs himself? “Flo, we like. We would like him to give it some time. If he continues that progression there will be opportunities but I cannot offer him that this week. If we did I don’t think that would be fair on Ivan Toney, who has scored the goals he has in the Premier League.” https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...england-ukraine-southgate-euro-2024-qualifier
Yeah I’m beginning to feel the same way. I don’t mind duals being diplomatic and keeping their options open by expressing their affinity to several nations in interviews/press conferences, but this has gone beyond that. I know some people will accuse me of reading too much into the situation and being paranoid, but my personal view is that the timing of this is not a coincidence. I believe Balogun has deliberately gone on this tour either because his heart is in the US(fair enough if he now declares for them) or because he wants to put serious pressure on the FA. If this is the case however, we should just let him go. We can’t set a precedent whereby duals can engage in this sort of charade every and any time they want to be put in the VIP lane to the first team. It makes a mockery of international football.
Would he have accepted that call up? And if he has pulled out of the U21s with 'injury' how can he be available to be called up to senior squad?
It would have called his bluff. If he'd turned down a full cap for a trip to the US. Then we'd know much more where we stand.
Pretty sure Carsley said that the England medical staff talked to the Reims medical staff about his injury
Balogun has deleted all his England pictures from Instagram, and is expected at the USA game this evening.
this is his first good season in a league where people often fail to step up to the Prem in level, I would have called him up but if he's switching because he wasn't then he is a petulant little prick
He's actually not expected to attend the game, seems some got ahead of themselves, including some journalists.
What is actually going on with this guy? First he's joining the u.s., then he's in our 21s, then he's left the 21s and gone to America to meet the coach. Removes his pictures but has told carsley he's still available for the 21s in July. Can anyone shine some light on what he's doing or is it pure guess work at the moment? Seems like an arrogant little prick if you ask me.
Certainly watching his Sky Sports interview he does seem at least slightly arrogant. Where did you see Carsley say he's been told he'll be available in July?
Surely we don't want to call his bluff though, we want to stroke his ego and try and keep him in play for us. USA are going all out, but if he was that keen on them he'd have committed yonks ago. He's hot right now so is trying to get the best conditions for a call up - so we have to let him do his thing
He's just keeping his options open - he knows if he makes the switch it will be one time only and final so isn't going to rush into it. This isn't a great international window, so plenty of players getting regular football drop out (i.e. Rashford) as recharging batteries the best thing for them longer term. Whilst he is still in limbo he just needs to take a step back and try and clear his head a bit and listen to all options. No need for some to harshly judge him, he's just doing what is best for his career.
I don't think he's trying to get an England call-up any more. I think him switching is basically a done deal. It's perfect for the US and probably not a big deal for us.