Folarin Balogun is struggling for goals after leaving Premier League giants Arsenal for £25 million with Monaco coach Adi Hutter admitting that the striker still ‘has to adapt’.
This, of course, is the risk you take when signing a young centre-forward on the back of one stand-out season.
An admittedly-outstanding loan spell at Stade de Reims was all Arsenal needed to bring in a considerable sum for Folarin Balogun, Monaco agreeing to stump up an initial £25 million on August 31st.
And, while some Arsenal supporters questioned the decision to let a centre-forward with such potential go – especially given that neither Gabriel Jesus nor Eddie Nketiah are particularly prolific – the Gunners appear to have gotten the better of that big-money arrangement as things stand.
Arsenal sold Folarin Balogun for big money
Balogun, after all, has just four goals in 15 Monaco games. Only one of those has come in the last nine outings in all competitions.
Former Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Monchengladbach coach Adi Hutter is not throwing in the towel just yet, however, insisting that Balogun needs time to get used to his new surroundings.
“Firstly, I think we play a different style of football (to Reims),” Hutter tells Get France Football News, Balogun facing competition from the prolific Wissam Ben Yedder at Monaco.
“He was (Reims’) go-to striker. He received the ball in lots of space, he was on the back-line and attacking the space. Here, in Monaco, it is different for him. We have more possession of the ball, more in the opponent’s half.”
And, therefore, much less space to run into.
“He has to adapt,” Hutter adds. “He’s a young player that I have spoken with a lot.
“In a career, you’re not always at your best peak, so we have to accept this. Everyone can see he can do better. I am happy with him. He’s a very professional player. He does everything in possession.
“This is football sometimes.”
Only five goals so far
Arsenal could yet look to bring in a striker of their own this month.
HITC Football understands that, as of the middle of last week, the Gunners had not held talks with Bournemouth over Dominic Solanke, however, while rumours linking Dusan Vlahovic with a move to the Emirates have been played down by Juventus.
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