What are the chances of Arsenal-owned striker Balogun breaking into Super Eagles if he commits?:: All Nigeria Soccer
Folarin Balogun has caps for England’s youth teams but his international future has been the subject of debate in recent weeks following his brilliant performances for Stade de Reims.
Born in New York, the Hale End Academy graduate also qualifies to wear the jerseys of United States and Nigeria where his parents originally hail from.
The Arsenal-owned striker is having a breakthrough season with Reims in the Ligue 1 scoring 15 goals in 24 appearances, and this brings the question of whether he can break into the Super Eagles setup if he commits his international future to the three-time African champions.
Victor Osimhen and Terem Moffi are the best Super Eagles strikers at the moment and you have got to be better than them to stand a chance of breaking into the starting XI.
Balogun is not, at least as it stands better than either of them. Despite scoring 15 league goals, Osimhen and Moffi have been more prolific than Balogun this season.
The Super Eagles duo have performed above their expected goals for the season by 5 goals, while Balogun has performed below his expected goals.
Osimhen and Moffi have also been more efficient with their shots than Bologum, and means they have been scoring more goals from their shots than the Arsenal academy graduate.
It is also worth noting that this is Balogun’s breakthrough season and it remains to be seen whether his record in front of goal can be replicated in the forthcoming seasons.
This is different for Osimhen and Moffi, who are more experienced and are tested and trusted relative to Balogun.
Osimhen is the Super Eagles” first-choice striker and in games where he is struggling or needs rest, Moffi will replace him.
Balogun, if he chooses to play for Nigeria, would at best be the third choice as things stand and if we are not being selfish would get more playing time with his country of birth, the United State of America than Nigeria.
This is not to say things cannot change in the years to come and he could be Super Eagles’ first choice in the future if there is a drastic change in fortune for Osimhen or Moffi.
But as it stands, it is difficult to see how the 21-year-old will break into Jose Paseiro’s starting XI or get enough playing time.
Abdulkareem Abdulhamid
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