'He has to adapt' - USMNT striker Folarin Balogun urged to 'do better' by Monaco boss amid run of one goal in 11 games

The former Arsenal frontman found the target on 22 occasions last season during a productive loan spell in Ligue 1 at Reims. He returned to France in the summer of 2023 when a €40 million (£34m/$44m) transfer was put in place. The USMNT star has found the going a little tougher this term, with end product drying up despite seeing regular game time.

Hutter said of Balogun after seeing him draw a blank as a half-time substitute in a 3-1 defeat to Reims: “He has to adapt. 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.”

Balogun’s last goal came against Paris Saint-Germain on November 24, with Hutter admitting that his No.9 is still adjusting to life in new surroundings. He added: “Firstly, I think we play a different style of football [from Reims]. He was the 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 a little bit special. It is different for him. We have more possession of the ball, more in the opponent’s half.”

Balogun will be hoping to find a spark in 2024 as, alongside his commitments at club level, he has potential outings at the CONCACAF Nations League finals and a Copa America tournament on home soil to come with the United States.