Folarin Balogun is \u2018walking on water\u2019 at Monaco, with his status as Europe\u2019s most in-form attacker confirmed on Sunday with a brilliant winner against Marseille. His resurgence after a difficult campaign could not be better timed for Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT.<\/p>\n
Balogun had been in the grip of a disappointing campaign until mid-February, but he has since gone on a tear that suggests the former Arsenal youngster can have a defining impact for the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n
After Mauricio Pochettino\u2019s side were left reeling by comprehensive losses against Belgium (5-2) and Portugal (2-0) in March friendlies, the Argentine has been forced into a tactical rethink before the competition starts in mid-June. Balogun is proving he deserves to be front and centre of these plans.<\/p>\n
Across his last eight matches for Monaco, Balogun has scored eight times. Only in the Champions League playoff second leg against Paris Saint-Germain did he fail to net.<\/p>\n
Prior to this, his season was spiralling towards mediocrity. He had only eight goals and four assists to his name in 29 appearances. Now, he is one of Europe\u2019s hottest players.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s changed?<\/h2>\n
Balogun has been the chief benefactor of Monaco head coach Sebastien Pocognoli\u2019s tactical shift to a 3-4-3 system. It seemed a last roll of the dice by an under-fire boss, but it\u2019s been one that has led to the American rediscovering his scoring touch at the forefront of a side that can do no wrong.<\/p>\n
But there\u2019s more than this. Former Belgium international striker Kevin Mirallas arrived at the club charged with a coaching role to rejuvenate the club\u2019s misfiring forwards.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe’s working hard with Kevin on certain aspects of his finishing, so he’s becoming more and more complete in what’s asked of him,\u201d Pocognoli explained<\/b><\/a> in mid-March, just as Balogun\u2019s run was getting going.<\/p>\n \u201cBalogun is much more focused on reacting to a good or bad action. When he is doing well in the game, he remains consistent, and when he misses an opportunity, he manages to have a positive reaction. It’s a lot of work that doesn’t happen in a week, and it’s something he’s working on with Kevin.\u201d<\/p>\n This is something the player also admits.<\/p>\n \u201cHe gives me confidence every day, talks to me, and tells me that the most important thing for a striker is to focus on the next opportunity,\u201d the New York-born star said.<\/p>\n \u201cI immediately had a good relationship with Kevin. He talked to me, tried to exchange ideas with me and help me improve, I felt it. As a striker, you can really appreciate that.\u201d<\/p>\n Monaco have won five straight games in all competitions and seven straight in Ligue 1. Balogun has netted in their last six league games \u2013 the longest ongoing active streak in Europe\u2019s Top 5 leagues and only two short of Kylian Mbappe\u2019s 2025\/26 record of eight.<\/p>\n French sports paper The Team<\/a> commented: \u201cRight now\u2026 he\u2019s walking on water and wiping out opposing defences.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>
Balogun is \u2018walking on water\u2019<\/h2>\n