Balogun, who was sold by Arsenal over the summer after being unable to convince Mikel Arteta that he was worthy of a starting spot consistently, has already scored five times this season and impressed once again during the international break. Leading the line for Berhalter's men, Balogun notched an assist in the spirited 3-1 defeat to Germany before showing his quality most recently to open the scoring against Ghana.
It follows his stellar run of form over the past 12 months with the Hale End graduate bagging 22 times for Stade de Reims in Ligue 1 last term. Aged just 22 he is seen as one of the best young forwards in Europe.
Most clubs would be doing all they can to keep a player of Balogun's quality and potential but Arsenal were open to selling him from the get-go. Once it became apparent that the player wasn't willing to accept a rotational role at the Emirates Stadium - something that was clear towards the start of the 2022/23 campaign - attention turned to other plans.
Balogun was hardly involved in pre-season due to form and fitness as well as Arteta's blueprint not having an empty space for the current Monaco man. Weeks later he was sold for good, bringing Arteta an extra £35million ($42m) and Balogun the chance to prove why it could have been a mistake.
Now, with Balogun in the spotlight and the man who has had the nod ahead of him still playing a backup role, the question is once more raised over just whether Arsenal got their call right. "You can tell guys were looking for him and that's the most important thing," American boss Berhalter said when asked how important Balogun has become in a short space of time."He's one of the best players I've ever coached at running behind the backline and you need guys picking up on his runs and you need guys brave enough to play the ball. "Today, you saw that so I think that was a step forward for the team in terms of getting Balo on the ball. You saw he was able to score and he could have had a couple of more."
Balogun's goal, which involved a terrific touch, quick turn and sharp finish, was everything that he is about. From youth football to the step up into European action, he has proven himself to be a goalscorer. It is only at Middlesbrough and a tough Championship stay on loan that he has failed to make much of an impact.
What he has managed to do, as well, is take the leap into being a primary goalscorer for several sides. Compare that to Eddie Nketiah, who has the trust of Arteta and the experience of someone two years older than Balogun, and there is a difference. It is not exactly fair to say that either has made a mistake given their circumstances and competition, but Nketiah is still some way behind being the starting forward for his club or country.
At Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus is preferred when fit and there is a battle with Kai Havertz amongst other flexible options to play centrally. For England, the role is even more hotly contested. Harry Kane is the clear frontrunner whilst Callum Wilson, Ollie Watkins and even Ivan Toney - who could yet join up with him in north London - are all ahead of Nketiah in the pecking order.
Balogun, who confirmed his allegiance to the USA earlier this year, is seen as a point-of-difference player in a squad on the up. Should Nketiah continue not to start for the Three Lions, or be given much of a look-in in general, then there is still a way out.
FIFA rules mean that he could yet switch to representing Ghana, the country of his parent's birth, with the African Cup of Nations bein held in January. It is a strange scenario to consider given that he was only handed an England debut last week against Australia, but in terms of progressing his career,
it could be considered still because he didn't play more than three competitive matches for the senior side before he turned 21 and hasn't played in the finals of an official tournament for them either.There is nothing yet to suggest that Nketiah is unhappy with his role domestically or internationally but it is hard to look past the way that Balogun is spoken about and the impact he is having and not wondering if, as he gets older, the time might be the same for the 24-year-old.
He has already started seven times in the league, nearly matching his league minutes last term, and the addition of Champions League football to the calendar increases the likelihood of rotation by Arteta, but it still feels that Nketiah is a luxury second choice rather than a truly competitive first choice.
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