‘Very talented with a strong mindset’ – Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro praises Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun (22) is enduring something of a goal drought, however, without a goal in his last four games, he has been praised by sporting director Thigao Scuro in an exclusive interview with CBS Sports.
Balogun joined the Principality club right at the end of the summer transfer window. Despite a breakthrough season whilst on loan at Stade de Reims, the USMNT forward could not force his way into Mikel Arteta’s plans at Arsenal. Desperate for game time, Balogun therefore returned to France.
Despite getting off to a strong start with his new club, scoring three in his first five games, he has not scored in his last four games. However, Scuro has backed his striker to flourish at the Principality club and believes that Balogun’s lack of pre-season may be telling.
“He did not have a preseason as he arrived with the campaign already underway. It is challenging for a player to understand the style of play and training methods which is piecing together week by week,” began Scuro, who like Balogun, only arrived in the summer, succeeding Paul Mitchell, whose departure was finalised in October.
“He is very talented with a strong mindset; he works hard and is open to learning and developing. Those skills make us confident that we can build with him for the future and he has already had a positive impact on some games. I am sure he will develop and progress further here in Monaco,” added Scuro.
Balogun will be hoping to rediscover his goalscoring touch when Monaco face Paris Saint-Germain on Friday, a club that he scored against last season whilst playing for Reims.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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