Balogun Says Wigan Made Him Feel Important Again

The former Mainz star had a difficult start to the campaign with Brighton, but he is enjoying football again with the Latics.

Super Eagles star, Leon Balogun has revealed his move to Wigan has made him feel important again following a torrid time at Brighton.

The 31-year-old moved to England shores when he signed for the Seagulls in 2018. But he found life hard at the Amex stadium as he could not break into the starting lineup.

Since joining in 2018, Balogun has managed just 12 appearances in all competitions for Graham Potter’s side. This season, he featured for only a total of 135 minutes, and they were in cup competitions.

His lack of minutes cost him a place in the National Team with the likes of Semi Ajayi and Chidozie Awaziem now ahead of him.

However, a loan move to Wigan last January has put Balogun’s career back on track. The 31-year-old has started in five games and made one cameo appearance since he joined Paul Cook’s side.

And in these games, Wigan are unbeaten, winning three, drawing three also, while they also kept four clean sheets.

Speaking on his new team in an interview with Tolu Olasoji, Balogun revealed Wigan gave him the confidence that was missing during his struggles at Brighton.

“The most important thing for me was that I have not been given a lot of playing time and this messes with your confidence, with everything, with your faith and yourself,” Balogun said.

You know? You try to keep it up. I still know I’m a good player but, you know, every now and then you need some sort of feedback, you need competition to see ‘where am I at?’ And I was just not given the chance to do that.

So, when I came to Wigan, by the way I was welcomed not just by the team, but also by the staff, the manager and everyone.

It just gave me a good feeling of being an important part of something again. And, the best part of it is just being out there on the pitch playing, and I’m happy it went so well so far – that I could contribute in the way I did.

The 31-year-old is already reaping the rewards of his performances after he was handed a recall back to the Super Eagles squad. However, the clash against Sierra Leone was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.