Filipe Luís on Monaco’s Folarin Balogun: ‘He’s been through a lot since the World Cup. His form in training has improved a lot.’

Folarin Balogun (25) is back in the team and back on the scoresheet. The USMNT forward returned from the FIFA World Cup injured, whilst his aborted move to Everton on transfer deadline day was a considerable distraction.

That came after, if not the most prolific, at least the most complete season of his career. He netted 19 goals in 43 games in all competitions for the Principality club, but it was his link-up and work off the ball that also earned him plaudits.

Balogun drafted into Monaco’s Conference League squad

Due to his knee injury, he missed the start of the season and was subsequently omitted from Monaco’s UEFA Conference League squad. On Sunday, in a 3-1 loss to Paris FC, he netted his first goal since returning. On Tuesday, the USMNT international replaced the injured Ansu Fati in Monaco’s Conference League squad. He will therefore be eligible to face Nordsjaelland on Thursday night.

Speaking at a press conference attended by Get French Football News, Filipe Luís addressed Balogun’s return:

“I think it’s important for Balogun also [to come into the Conference League squad]. He’s been training fantastically in the last couple of weeks. I can see that his form in training has improved a lot. And you all know he’s a top player. And we want to get the best of him. So in this case, I think having the Conference League, also to give minutes and get this feeling back of being a football player, a Monaco player, is going to help him regain his form, but also help the team with what we need. So this is very important for us. And it’s going to be good to see him on the pitch.

‘It’s very good to have Balogun back’ – Luís

“For sure, what he lives, since the World Cup has not been normal for him. He’s been through a lot since the World Cup, the transfer window and everything. So sometimes some players are really fast, but sometimes players take a little bit longer. But as I said, in the last couple of weeks, he’s been fantastic in training. And of course, you can see that. You can see it. The players see it. The coach sees it. And when the players are like this, it is natural that he gets minutes to play.

“Of course, he’s a player who generates a lot for himself. He’s very dangerous attacking the space. He’s very strong. Shoot with both legs. Have this feeling that he wants to score goals. And yeah, it’s very good to have him back.“

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Monaco