Leon Balogun
Unimpressive Start to a Career Revival
After an unpalatable experience at Brighton, where he spent the better part of his time warming the bench and also lost his place in the national team as the number one choice central defender, Leon Balogun’s move to Wigan Athletic to revive his career did not start on a good note as wished. He was an unused substitute in what was supposed to be his first game, and last Tuesday, he was a substitute in Latics’ 2-2 home draw with Middlesborough
LLeon Balogun had endured Mainz 05 defender is not enjoying a a torrid time warning the good start at the Latics. bench of Premier League Speaking before the home doubleheader side Brighton and Hove against Preston North End Albion, before joining and Middlesbrough off the back of Wigan Athletics on loan consecutive victories, the player told till the rest of the season back in January Latics TV that he is happy to join the with the hope of beginning a new club and can’t wait to start working chapter in his career, but all seems not with his new teammates. to be going as planned as the former “Now it’s on us to take on this challenge. I’m happy to come in and play my part in mastering this challenge together. Joining up with the lads was perfect timing, it was really good to start the week like that,” he said.
“The season hasn’t gone as the club wanted so far, but from what I have seen from the footage I watched when I was trying to gather some information about the club, I like what I see.
“Now it’s on us to take on this challenge. The win on Saturday was massive and it’s another step in the right direction. I’m happy to come in and play my part in mastering this challenge together.”
Balogun failed to make his muchawaited Championship debut for Wigan in last Saturday’s 2-1 home
defeat to Preston North End, in spite, that the defender was among the seven listed substitutes by manager Paul Cook, he watched proceedings from the bench as his team suffered a setback in their battle against relegation.
In Tuesday’s encounter against Middleborough, Balogun was introduced as a second half replacement in the 65th minute and would only be hoping for his second appearance when his team face Cardiff City in Wales.
Having struggled for playing time in the top flight at Brighton and Hove Albion, the 31-year-old was shipped out to the DW Stadium in his bid to reignite his career.
Balogun’s lack of action has cost him his place in the national team, with Semi Ajayi now preferred as the ideal partner for William TroostEkong. He has not played for Nigeria since 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt because of his lack of playing time with Brighton.
Nigerian midfielder John Ogu has congratulated his national teammate on his move to Wigan, saying he is happy Balogun has put an end to his torrid time at the Amex and wishes him all the best in his new adventure.
“Congrats to you my guy @LeonBalogun I’m genuinely happy for you on this Move. All the best bro” he tweeted.
Balogun is the third Nigerian to join the Latics after Victor Moses and Julius Aghahowa.
When Balogun had his first Premier League berth for Brighton in the 3-2 win against Manchester United, the Nigerian international felt his dream had finally come true, but more than mid-way into his first season at the Amex he failed to establish himself as the preferred central defender of the Seagulls.
Indeed, when he moved to Brighton in the summer of 2018, after nine years of playing in the German League, he admitted it would not be a walk in the park donning the colours of the Seagulls as he has to fight for a shirt with the two central defenders already in the club fold- Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy. However, his opportunity came earlier than he expected as he came in as a substitute in just two weeks into his Premier League career against Manchester United.
The then Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton was indeed delighted with Balogun’s debut performance and he was impressive as Brighton recorded their first, win of the campaign.
“In Balogun, you have someone you know won’t be phased. He’s played at a very good level and played in the World Cup this summer,” Hughton said.
Balogun’s central defence partner, Shane Duffy said he was delighted with Balogun, saying, “He’s fitted straight in. He’s a big character in the changing room. He’s got a big voice. He’s played with big players in big games. That’s why you bring in players like that. They push us. He was great. That’s another plus for us, that strength in depth with top players.
You pick up injuries and suspensions so you need these kinds of players to step in.”
However, after a season and a half, the Super Eagle player remained just a fringe player in the team he didn’t make the sort of impact envisaged at Brighton.
Despite an incredible career that has spanned over a decade, Balogun would have still felt like a little boy when he heard of Brighton’s interest in the summer of 2018. England is favourite destination for African football tourists, especially Nigerians.
For Balogun, it was a first-hand experience. The Bundesliga was all he knew.
Born in Berlin to a Nigerian dad, the 31-year-old took his first footballing lessons at hometown club, Türkiyemspor Berlin. He then practiced his craft at five other Deutschland sides, including Werder Bremen.
The Premier League is different. There’s more cash, quality players, odds and managers as well as better coverage. Balogun didn’t want to be left. He had no qualms moving abroad, but that decision is already hurting the Nigerian.
Balogun was third choice in Hughton’s centre-back hierarchy behind Duffy and Dunk.
“My job is to be ready, there is no question about it, and the club knows what I can do. I feel a certain trust even when I’m not starting which makes it easy for me to fit into what s Dunk or Duffy have been doing. It’s never easy and you always want to play, but at the same time, you have to be professional about it. You have to be ready for situations and moments and I think I was ready every time I came on - that is important,” he said.
Balogun has an imposing physical presence, standing at 6ft 3. He is fearless in tackles and brave in the air. He provides additional threats during set-pieces and could occasionally provide that odd goal to win games. However, Balogun isn’t gifted in terms of pace.
It however remains to be seen if Balogun will revive his career with Wigan as the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier games just around the corner.