- He Scored 21 League goals In The French Top Flight… Why Is No One Snapping Him Up?
Nowadays in Europe, it’s not a common theme seeing young strikers that aren’t physical beasts putting up impressive numbers in front of goal, and that was what this striker did so well last season in the French top flight.
How is Folarin Balogun not being linked with multiple mid-table Premier League teams? More Serie A teams? Or perhaps a solid La Liga side like Real Sociedad or Villarreal?
Maybe because his name does not sound like Erling Haaland’s 😉, or he just doesn’t look like a “big club striker”? – Folarin Balogun’s season with Reims last season was super impressive for a mid-table Ligue 1 side that scored just 45 league goals all season long.
Yeah, he would have to do more to get ahead of Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal, but his performances last season should have already earned him a move to a decent side in Europe’s top 5 Leagues.
Folarin Balogun – Last Season’s Impact
Folarin Balogun was responsible for 49%% of the Reims total league goals last season (21 goals) and from an impressive npxg (non-penalty expected goals) of 21.0.
The USMNT striker is reportedly training alone, as he is clearly not part of Mikel Arteta’s plans. Although there are rumours of Inter Milan showing interest in the 22-year-old, nothing concrete has happened yet.
The American striker is not the finished article yet, but neither are other strikers his age, Yet some of them may sign with bigger clubs this summer.
Elye Wahi, the 20-year-old Montpelier who took the French League by surprise last season, could join Chelsea. Others include Rasmus Hojlund, Nicolas Jackson, and many other young strikers that are on the verge or have already completed their big move.
Folarin Balogun might not have the hype, but with his consistent performance last season, he has shown that with the right team, he can lead a team’s attack. Hopefully he gets a move this summer to a side that can help him reach his potential.
