Reims' English forward Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between AS Monaco and Stade de Reims at the Louis II Stadium (Stade Louis II) in the Principality of Monaco on March 12, 2023. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
3 reasons why Arsenal should choose Folarin Balogun over Eddie Nketiah
Reims’ English forward Folarin Balogun (L) and Marseille’s French midfielder Jordan Veretout (R) fight for the ball during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and Olympique Marseille (OM) at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northern France on March 19, 2023. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / AFP) (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP via Getty Images)
2. Age profile
As it stands, Balogun (21) is three years younger than Nketiah (24), and after he produced what he did for Reims, one can only imagine the kinds of stats the USA star could put up if given a chance in north London.
Despite Nketiah signing a long-term deal, there is a case to be made that, given Balogun’s age, he has better football ahead of him than Eddie.
https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1670612772441210880?s=20
Now, Nketiah has yet to get the starts that Balogun has, but that in itself tells us a lot. Folarin is three years younger yet has been to another league and started an entire campaign in the first team.
Eddie hasn’t done that yet, despite being three years older. Now, that could simply be where he is as Jesus is ahead of him, but still, Balogun has been starting consistently, whereas Eddie hasn’t, despite being older.
Continued on the next slide…
