Full Breakdown
Pochettino Offers Support as Balogun’s Everton Move Falls Apart
9/8/2026, 2:54:54 AM
Transfer Collapse and Immediate Aftermath
On deadline day, 25-year-old forward Folarin Balogun walked away from a seemingly agreed transfer from AS Monaco to Everton after the English club raised concerns during his medical examination. Balogun remains under contract with Monaco, where he was omitted from the squad for the UEFA Conference League amid ongoing uncertainty.
Pochettino’s Approach to Balogun’s Situation
U.S. He added that he plans to call Balogun in the coming days to give him space and understand what happened. Pochettino also emphasized the broader “human connection” with dual-national prospects, noting that the federation is in contact with all such players and will consider them for future call-ups when they are ready.
Impact on USMNT Planning
Balogun entered the 2026 World Cup as the United States’ leading scorer, netting three goals before receiving a red card in the round of 32—a decision that sparked political commentary but did not alter his on-field contributions. Coach Pochettino expects the forward to remain a core component of the squad heading toward the 2030 World Cup, despite the current club limbo. The national team’s immediate schedule includes friendlies against regional opponents, after which the roster will be shaped by a mix of experienced World Cup veterans and emerging talent.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The allegation of Balogun is that, 'I'm not feeling well by the way the club treated me, the way the medical team brought doubts about my future or my health. I'm not comfortable to sign a long contract here the way we finished the transfer window here.'” — Thiago Scuro, monaco sporting director
- “It's difficult because you cannot influence the decision and only you need to support what they are doing with the people making the decisions,” — Mauricio Pochettino, national team coach
- “We are in contact with all the potential dual nationals,” — Mauricio Pochettino, national team coach
- “It’s difficult because you can not influence the decision, you only need to support what they are doing with the people making the decisions. Of course, in some special case, like Flo, I will call in the next few days because I wanted to give a little bit of space after everything that happened with his situation in Everton, in Liverpool,” — Mauricio Pochettino, national team coach
