Carlos Baleba could already be following in Yves Bissouma's footsteps by making the trip from Lille to Brighton. The English club sees him as a replacement for Moises Caicedo, who has left for Chelsea.
Since his arrival at Losc, Carlos Baleba's enormous potential is no longer in doubt. It was during the 2022 off-season, just a few months after his arrival, that he really began to make his mark on the first team. First impressions, then minutes in Ligue 1. This season promises to be decisive at every level for the Cameroonian midfielder, who started the first match of the season.
After graduating from the Brasseries Football School in Cameroon, where he burst onto the scene as a relay midfielder, the Douala native attracted the attention of a number of European clubs before joining Lille. As a former right-winger, it's easy to understand Carlos Baleba's technical ease with the ball. In midfield, his power and volume of play attract attention.
If Brighton rarely pick the wrong targets, thanks to an excellent scouting network and mastery of the "datas" of popular sport, then the English club seems to be knocking at the right door to find a successor to Moises Caicedo, who has shone in a season and a half in the Premier League. Born in 2004, Carlos Baleba is already showing plenty of personality on the pitch. At times, he can be accused of being over-committed and over-enthusiastic. However, his talent and potential remain commendable.
Proving himself at Lille or the Brighton project?Capable of demonstrating a great deal of activity and imposing a significant physical challenge on his opponents, the Losc midfielder has similar qualities to Moisés Caicedo, notably in terms of recovery and the quality of forward passes.Like the Ecuadorian, the "Dogues" nugget can play in front of the defense in a double pivot or as a perfect relay midfielder.
This season, Paulo Fonseca's young player has a great card to play in the 11 with the departure of André Gomes, in contrast to his five starts in 2022/23. It's therefore an opportunity for him to enjoy a more successful season in the rotation or even in the 11 of a good Ligue 1 club.
However, it's hard to say no to the Brighton project, which brings out the best in young players like former Lille star Yves Bissouma.
According to reports in France and England, Brighton have already submitted an offer of 16 million euros to Lille.But the selling club is reportedly expecting 30 million. To be continued.
