Carlos Baleba
22-Year-Old
Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Baleba took on a major starting role during his second season with Brighton. He played in 34 matches (31 starts) and even helped on the back line when there were a bevy of injuries. Like most defensive midfielders, his upside is capped, but he had four goal contributions from 44 shots in 2024/25, and his penchant for ripping shots from deep is always appreciated in fantasy. He heads into the 2025/26 campaign as Brighton's top midfielder, set for a role similar to the one as last season in Fabian Hurzeler's second season in charge.
Pictured in training with club
Baleba (undisclosed) is fully fit and back in Brighton's training sessions after returning from international duty. He's "in good shape and good mood," according to manager Fabian Hurzeler.
ANALYSIS
Baleba should be an option in central midfield for the remainder of the season, but it's not yet clear when he'll bounce back into the starting lineup. He was quite active with Cameroon in the AFCON, making five appearances despite suffering some minor physical problems during the early stages of the tournament. His return to Brighton's midfield will threaten Yasin Ayari's and Pascal Gross' positions.
Baleba should be an option in central midfield for the remainder of the season, but it's not yet clear when he'll bounce back into the starting lineup. He was quite active with Cameroon in the AFCON, making five appearances despite suffering some minor physical problems during the early stages of the tournament. His return to Brighton's midfield will threaten Yasin Ayari's and Pascal Gross' positions.
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Brighton & Hove AlbionMore Fantasy News
Fully fit, returns to Brighton
Baleba (undisclosed) is no longer injured since he played 77 minutes in Friday's 2-0 loss against Morocco and is now heading back to Brighton after being eliminated from the AFCON with Cameroon.
ANALYSIS
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Forced off injured
Baleba (undisclosed) was forced off injured at halftime during Wednesday's 1-0 victory against Gabon at AFCON, according to The Argus.
ANALYSIS
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Quiet in midfield
Carlos Baleba recorded one shot (zero on goal) in Saturday's 2-0 loss to Liverpool.
ANALYSIS
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Midfield anchor
Baleba has started in six of his seven appearances this season for 355 minutes of play.
ANALYSIS
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Could only play one half
Baleba was substituted at halftime of Saturday's 2-2 draw against Tottenham due to tiredness, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in a press conference. "He just felt tired. I think that everyone has to understand with Carlos that he's a very young player and he had unbelievable development in the last season and everyone expects him to keep pushing, keep going the same like it was last year, but he's a 20-year-old player. He needs time. His development is not linear and at the moment he seems to be in a small down, but I think it's very important to understand that he's not a machine. He's a very young, talented player. He needs help, he needs support from us. He needs the right environment. He tried everything today. He pushed but he only had 45 minutes in his body. And that's something we have to accept."
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Man United confident on signature
Manchester United are growing increasingly confident in their chances of signing Baleba in the summer, according to The Sun.
ANALYSIS
Baleba has been linked with a move to Manchester United for the better part of the last 12 months, but it's uncertain whether Brighton will be open to parting ways with him in the summer. Baleba would be an excellent fit in Manchester United's midfield as a long-term replacement for Casemiro, and the Red Devils believe they can reach an agreement to acquire the Cameroon star after the 2025/26 season.
Baleba has been linked with a move to Manchester United for the better part of the last 12 months, but it's uncertain whether Brighton will be open to parting ways with him in the summer. Baleba would be an excellent fit in Manchester United's midfield as a long-term replacement for Casemiro, and the Red Devils believe they can reach an agreement to acquire the Cameroon star after the 2025/26 season.