If you’re reading this, you know exactly who Folarin Balogun is and the speculation regarding his future at Arsenal Football club.
As you can imagine, everyone and their dog has an opinion on him. Personally, I think he is a very talented young striker, who scores goals like he breaths air and in the last 18 months other aspects of his play have evolved. Goals are what will make or break a striker however, it is also about what you’re offering when you’re unable to score. He has been learning his lesson a lot and turned in some performances for our under 23’s which has singled handily won our games.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
It’s simple, Arsenal have sadly once again been made to pay for not being proactive regarding a players future. In a day and age where Arsenal allegedly are lacking finances, surely you should tie down your young players quicker so that they can; A – progress to 1st team players or B – make profits which can reinvent across many different departments within the organisation?
We should have committed his future way before the start of the current campaign. Many clubs will be interested, some will see him as a legitimate first team player or potentially one for the future and others will see a young talented English youngster as a chance to make a profit.
Not every young player can make it at any club, my annoyance is that we stand to see no finances for our time invested in developing him up until this point.
Balogun might very well go onto to become a top quality Premier League player, equally he may not. Nobody can predict the future, you can however be proactive.
Look at his age peers or players at similar level at the club; Matt Smith, Tyreece John-Jules, Daniel Ballard and many more. They have all been sent on loan to continue their development.
As someone who watches our academy week in and out, I am telling you this level will not enable Balogun to develop. He needs to be exposed to situations and become more comfortable against defenders he cannot outpace, outskill, out strength or rely on individual moments of brilliance. Folarin, like many talented young players, needs to be exposed to situations where they are required to outsmart their opponents.
In life we only learn from being put in situations we struggle. Would he learn more from scoring hattrick’s at under 23 level or playing senior men’s football where he might only get one chance in a game? Minutes are currency and there is no getting around that.
SHOULD HE STAY?
This is a tough question to answer, as a fan of course I hope he stays. The reasons I would be tempted to stay if I was him or his advisers would be the following:
- Comfortable here and training with 1st team
- Auba’s age – 30+
- Lacazette could be sold
- Eddie Nkeitah’s future isunclear
- Other Hale End prospects getting chances
- If given a clear development plan
This is where it gets complicated in my opinion. The following would tempt me to look elsewhere:
- Auba contracted for another 2-3 years
- Lacazette could stay for 1 year minimum
- Eddie Nketiah signs a new deal
- Arsenal’s transfer plans
- Not featured a lot this season
- Clearer pathway elsewhere
CONCLUSION
It is a really complicated matter, there is not one clear solution. What I would say to Folarin Balogun is simple – be proactive, make the best decision that is going to bring you closer to improving as a footballer and progressing into the senior game.
I certainly believe there is a real argument for him to move to Germany or a English club with less resources and thus be more likely to utilise him. Look at Jadon Sancho, remember he moved to Germany and start instantly featuring in the Bundesliga week in and out. Dortmund had a plan with a time sake of where they saw him develop. Football is a game of emotion however, it is wise to remove such and make an informed decision.
His future is complicated by his teammate Eddie Nkeitah, whose future is also subject to speculation and is also a young forward. There are several semi positive situations where Arsenal could benefit from more than just signing new deals:
- Both players sign new contracts and progress
- Both go on loan after new deals
- One goes on loan and one remains for next season
- Both sign new deals and are sold eventually for profit
Also, one important fact to remember is both players have the same agent.
Massive thanks to Jeorge Bird for offering his opinions on this subject also:
Folarin Balogun is an excellent prospect – his performances over the past couple of seasons for the U23s are evidence of the quality that he has.
This season he has stepped up his game and has shown that he is about more than just goals – he is linking play very well and is more tactically aware.
It would be a major disappointment if he was to leave Arsenal and maybe they should have given him more opportunities this season, but if he or his representatives want a transfer then there is little that Arsenal can do.
Not every young player that leaves Arsenal by their own accord goes on to be a success, but I think Balogun certainly has the qualities to do well elsewhere if he does depart.
If Balogun leaves then Arsenal still have some exciting young strikers in the academy – the likes of Nikolaj Moller, Tyreece John-Jules and Khayon Edwards.
DELUDED GOONER 