Pochettino Backs Balogun Amid Secret Everton Fallout and Mysterious Future Ahead of USMNT Friendlies

Folarin Balogun emerged as one of the central figures of the 2026 summer transfer window following the deadline-day collapse of his proposed move to Everton. With his situation at AS Monaco unresolved, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino voiced support for the American striker ahead of the upcoming international window.

On September 2, the day after the primary transfer window closed across most European leagues, Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro addressed Balogun’s situation during a press conference. After Everton raised medical concerns during physical testing on Merseyside, the executive revealed that Balogun personally walked away from the £38.5 million ($50 million USD) transfer due to his dissatisfaction with how the Premier League club handled the process.

Speaking with reporters during a virtual media session from London on Monday, Pochettino offered his perspective on the forward’s turbulent situation: “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.“

The manager noted that he planned to reach out directly to the USMNT forward. “Of course, in some special case, (like) Flo, I will call in the next few days because I want to give a little bit of space after all that happened with his situation in Everton,” he added.