There is always one certainty at AS Monaco every pre-season. Thanks to their respected place for nurturing talents, European giants come knocking with big offers to lure assets from the principality clubs. And, at times, they have to engage in expensive deals themselves with the hope of resale value. USMNT international Folarin Balogun is the latest name in this category.
When Adi Hutter took the reins at Monaco, the hunt for goals took center stage as Mayron Boadu and Kevin Volland saw the exit door. Balogun, who guided USMNT to a Nations League triumph, was the first name on their wishlist, but it wasn’t easy to complete the deal from Arsenal.
Monaco’s fourth most expensive signing was destined to play alongside club legend Wissam Ben Yedder. The reported $43m value is the biggest transfer fee involving an American player, bar Christian Pulisic.
A thoroughly successful loan spell at Stade Reims was the catalyst for the transfer. He was the youngest player in the European top-five league to net more than 20 league goals in the 2022/23 season. By the end of the campaign, he decided to represent his country of birth in international soccer.
Difficult first season at the back of his mind
Balogun’s debut season as a Monegasque can be described by Stade Louis II’s dull atmosphere: Quiet. The guy who scored against all the top-four teams in Reims colors hardly found his shooting boots on his return to French soccer.
On his first start, he missed two penalty kicks in a frustrating defeat to derby rivals Nice. He followed it up with back-to-back goals against Marseille and his former employers, but there was only one more strike in the next four months.
Against pre-season expectations, the club’s second all-time top-scorer Ben Yedder was still in the limelight. While the French striker reached double digits for the ninth time in Ligue 1, Balogun ended the campaign with a disappointing tally of seven goals. Hutter’s attempt at a strike…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/defining-season-for-usmnts-starting-striker-balogun-at-monaco/
Author : Eskender Tamrat
Publish date : 2024-08-14 20:25:18
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