We really need this with everything else going on with our Yanks Abroad as of late. 1. 3 Yanks at Leeds having to potentially deal with the uncertainty of being relegated when all 3 were starting for Champions League teams 2. Sargent and Siebatcheu not being as prolific scoring as they were before the WC and Dike just recently getting a bad injury after coming back recently 3. Pulisic’s lack of playing time at Chelsea 4. Dest’s failed loan 5. Reyna’s limited playing time in Dortmund There are some positives such as Paxten and Paredes getting time in the Bundesliga which we should continue to see with MLS transfers to Europe, but no one emerging like Balogun did this particular season. If he competes for time at Arsenal next season he’ll be competing against Jesus and then I think Nketiah behind Jesus. Unless either of these two are sold which I doubt (particularly Jesus) it could be best for him to stay on loan. I’d prefer he gets playing time again in a league like Ligue 1 then be in a Dest/Pulisic type of situation.
He's not a consistent scorer at the big 5 league level because he's only got 1 season at it, but look at his CV at transfermarkt and you see a ridiculous goals per minute production level going back to his teenage years in 2017-2018. It goes back literally all the way to that 12 goal in 1650 minutes season as a 16 year old in the '17-'18 season followed by that 28 goal season the next year. The goal production is there in literally every single August-May going back across six seasons from the summer 2017 through the spring of 2023. This is who he's been his entire career. It doesn't predict what is to come, but it does suggest who he is, for now, through all levels up to Ligue 1.
Sam's Army will need to come up with a unique song or celebration when he scores his first goal for us. "Flo is putting the hammer down" would be a nice start for a chant.
I'm more interested right now in where he lands next season - is there any talk that he will get a serious first team look from Arsenal? Given their total collapse here at the end of the season, there will need to be some changes there.
Balogun's personal ambition might be to lead Arsenal someday but I don't think he can make the leap directly from Middlesbrough - Reims back to the Gunners as a starter right now. As an Arsenal fan it's actually insane that losing Gabriel Jesus didn't cost us as many games as losing Saliba for example. Still, they're likely going to bolster the squad and i fully expect to see Arteta trying to buy an elite 9 rather than give Balogun the reins to the attack. They can flex muscle in the transfer market for 1st in years by dangling the prospect of CL football in front of any targets.
I don’t know if changes is the right word. They still finished second by a good amount with a fairly young team. They couldn’t keep pace with Man City but total collapse is a bit much. Mostly it’s that Saliba got hurt and that’s when things fell off. Mostly I just think they need a bit more depth.
I don't think Arsenal will use him much or need him. That's what people have been saying even before he made his decision. So because of the information that we do have his transfer will be permanent not a loan. Flo does have many teams looking at him so who knows where he will end up. I also don't think he will be at the Gold Cup because of this.
I don't know if they want him but they will will be needing a lot more depth at all positions with CL games added. They don't need to purchase him so a backup / rotational player for a team with many more games next year is worth consideration.
All the more reason I think he will have a backup role at Arsenal next year. They do need the depth. They could have used it this year even. He has shown enough not to need to spend another year on loan. See what he can produce as a rotational/backup player in the premier league, and then you can make a decision.
https://www.soccernews.com/brentford-want-to-sign-folarin-balogun-from-arsenal/351940/ https://www.espn.com/soccer/brentfo...m-football-for-8-months-over-betting-breaches I wonder if this just dramatically increased the odds Flo is headed to Brentford? West London .... hmm maybe he and Jedi will become good friends?
Arsenal does need more depth. Everything is pointing to Arsenal selling Balogun this summer. Who knows what team he will go to? My best guess is somewhere middle table in the EPL, Serie A, or Bundesliga or a top team in ligue 1. All we are asking for is a better team than Reims. If he has another great session on any team that is better than Reims then maybe go for a top club.
FB on EPB violence: Flashback Friday: When an American on American crime was committed. 😬🇺🇸Folarin Balogun fends off Erik Palmer-Brown and it results in a goal to extend Stade de Reims’ lead over Troyes. [🎥: @Ligue1_ENG] pic.twitter.com/q7gDksqVjA— USMNT Otaku 🇺🇸 (@USMNTOtaku) May 19, 2023
Folarin Balogun is the first American to score 20 goals in a top five league. 👏The previous record was Clint Dempsey with 17 in 2011-12 with Fulham. pic.twitter.com/CU1tEpixwv— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 21, 2023
What a huge season for Balogun and the USMNT based on his decision to switch. Dude has a nose for the goal. Sic run and shot on that 20th.
Rumor of Milan interest: Milan are set to make contact with the agents of Arsenal's Folarin Balogun (21) soon, reports @86_longo. Arsenal are not against selling the striker, who is valued at over €30 million.https://t.co/4081hzo6yf— Get Italian Football News (@_GIFN) May 22, 2023
Definitely need another forward. I love Giroud ( who doesn't?) But he'll be 37. Rebic and Origi are both trash
Balogun and Pulisic both to Milan? Pulisic and Giroud know each other well .... does Giroud's opinion count with management there? https://the18.com/en/soccer-news/giroud-pulisic-comments-on-american-joining-ac-milan https://fansided.com/2023/05/07/usmnt-rumors-pulisic-ac-milan-pl-interest-dest-trusty-wins-award/ Giroud can mentor Flo .... that could really help the USMNT in general. Redbird Capital includes Yankees, Drake, and LeBron. Just sayin.
Starts: #OLSDR en @Ligue1UberEats, c'est dans moins d'une heure ! 🔜Le 11 de départ concocté par Will Still ⤵️#GoSDR #NousSommesReims 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/lGHDjDKqvG— Stade de Reims (@StadeDeReims) May 27, 2023