Folarin Balogun has been flourishing at Middlesbrough since his loan move in the January transfer window, where he agreed to stay until the end of the season in search of more first-team minutes.
The Hale End academy graduate provided an excellent assist on Saturday afternoon against Derby County, as he continues to remind Mikel Arteta of the quality that he possesses.
The youngster is a part of a Boro team that is fighting to be in a play-off position come the end of the season, with the ultimate aim to achieve promotion to the Premier League
I recently spoke with GazetteBoro’s Middlesbrough reporter Craig Johns about the development of Balogun on The Arsenal Way's transfer insight show.
Craig spoke on the future of Balogun, and the possibility of him returning on loan next season if Boro get promoted.
“If you look at Chris Wilder’s history, he’s done this before with Dean Henderson at Sheffield United,” Craig said.
“He had him on loan from Manchester United in the Championship promotion season, and then again in the Premier League season.
“There’s sixteen games to go in this season and Balogun has already started two since coming in, so clearly his quality is there. And as the team becomes more used to him, it allows him to get up to speed.”
Craig then went on to speak about the influence of Balogun, and why Wilder could look to sign him on loan again next season.
“I think we are definitely going to see him (Balogun) become ever more important to Middlesbrough’s title push in the business end of the season.
“There’s still a lot to prove for Balogun, but if he does help Boro go up and the option to bring him in again was there, using the Dean Henderson example, I think Wilder would look to bring Balogun in.
“He knows Balogun is a quality player and a player of technical ability and he is exactly how Wilder wants his team to play.”
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