Folarin Balogun has an easy Chelsea transfer decision

Updated: 15 Jul 2026 15:09 BST | 4 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

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Chelsea are among the clubs interested in signing AS Monaco forward Folarin Balogun, and the US star is facing an easy transfer decision.

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The 25-year-old is coming off a tumultuous World Cup after finding himself embroiled in a corruption scandal following his round of 32 red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Balogun, who had been the USMNT's standout performer, had his one-match ban for the round of 16 clash with Belgium suspended by FIFA after the personal intervention of US president Donald Trump.

Current ETV

Folarin Balogun

F (C)

Monaco

Folarin Balogun

F (C)

Monaco

ETV Range

€23M - €28.1M

It sparked a major media storm and, as Balogun has now admitted, affected the team's performance against Belgium, with the US crashing out against the Red Devils after an embarrassing performance.

The former Arsenal prospect is now one of the most recognisable faces in the sport, and his club future is a major talking point. AS Monaco are reportedly open to offers for the striker, which has led to an upsurge of interest.

Balogun to Chelsea: It's an easy decision

Balogun was recently linked with Chelsea, while Gazzetta dello Sport now reports that Juventus are also exploring a move for the American amid the uncertain future of fellow Brooklyn-born striker Jonathan David.

Ironically, Balogun was already in a similar position in 2023 when he left Arsenal. He had the choice between Chelsea and Monaco, and he picked the latter, describing it as "an easy decision." Three years on, the decision is once again fairly straightforward.

According to data analytics firm SciSports, joining Chelsea would be a disastrous move for the 25-year-old. SciSports analyses several factors such as game time prospects, development opportunities and playing style to calculate a Club Fit rating.

For Balogun, Chelsea have a really uninspiring score of just 48 out of 100. They get poor marks in basically every category. By contrast, Juventus have a much more respectable Club Fit rating of 70.

The Bianconeri are not his best option, however. That distinction belongs to Crystal Palace, with a score of 82, followed by AS Roma with 80. Man City also rank well stylistically, but obviously Balogun would struggle for minutes behind Erling Haaland.

Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund are also believed to be very good options for the American. It remains to be seen where he will ultimately end up this summer, but one thing is already evident: he should steer clear of Chelsea.

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