Folarin Balogun on his decision to represent USMNT, being overlooked by England and his adaptation at Monaco

Folarin Balogun (22) has spoken about his decision to represent the USMNT over England, and his opening few months at AS Monaco following his summer move from Arsenal, during a press conference, attended by Get French Football News. 

Folarin, how has your adaptation been and what do you make of your start of season form with Monaco? 

I’m feeling good! I’m happy to have made the choice to come here. I’m enjoying playing with this fantastic team, I’m getting used to my teammates and it’s a great, challenging experience for me. In terms of statistics, my mentality is always to try and be better. Last season, I wasn’t happy with my statistics. It’s no different for me this year. I have to also remember that this is a team, a collective, and I have to always try and help the team in any way that I can. 

How have you handled the international breaks? That is something that is new to you and it of course entails a lot of travel…

The guys over in America have helped me to try to adapt as best as possible by giving me the best supplements to help jetlag. It’s a long distance, a long way, and it is something that is new to me. It’s something that I’m adapting to, but I’m speaking to other players that have done this in their careers for a long time and taking advice from them on how to get through it. Physically I feel great. 

How did you come to the decision to represent the USMNT? Do you feel more American or British?

For me, the opportunity to represent USA is very important to me. It is something that I took a long time to decide on with my family. I grew up in London, so I wouldn’t be who I am without both sides. I was born in New York and I go back there to visit family and friends. New York and London are similar cities that have made me who I am. I’ve taken things from both places.

Did you feel overlooked by Gareth Southgate and the England national team, and was that frustrating if so? 

Definitely not frustrated. I spoke to the U21s manager at the time and he was speaking to me about the Euros at the end of the year (EURO U21 2023) so that was the position that England were in with me. USMNT was in a more advanced position you could say. They wanted me to join them now and fit into an ongoing project so I wouldn’t say that was frustration. As far as I was aware, I wasn’t in the discussions for the first-team for England, so I was just more comparing my feelings towards America. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle