Carlos Baleba, a Moises Caicedo-style prospect?

Since arriving at Losc, there has been no doubt about Carlos Baleba's huge potential. It was during the 2022 pre-season, a few months after his arrival, that he really began to break into the first team. There were good impressions, then some minutes picked up in Ligue 1. This season was therefore shaping up as a decisive one on every level for the Cameroonian midfielder, who started the opening match of the campaign.

After coming through the École de Football des Brasseries in Cameroon, where he blossomed as a box-to-box midfielder, the Douala native attracted the attention of many European clubs before joining Lille. A former right winger, he clearly has the technical ease on the ball you would expect. In midfield, his power and work rate stand out.

If Brighton rarely get their targets wrong thanks to an excellent scouting network and a grasp of the "data" behind the world's most popular sport, then the English club appear to be knocking on the right door to find a successor to Moises Caicedo, who shone over a season and a half in the Premier League. Born in 2004, Carlos Baleba already shows plenty of personality on the pitch. He can sometimes be criticised for excessive commitment and fire. Even so, his talent and potential are still admirable.

Read also: Who is Carlos Baleba, the gem developed in Cameroon?

Prove himself at Lille or join the Brighton project?

Capable of a huge work rate and of posing a significant physical challenge to opponents, the Losc midfielder has qualities similar to Moisés Caicedo, notably in winning the ball back and in the quality of his forward passing. Like the Ecuadorian, the "Dogues" gem can play in front of the defence in a double pivot or as an out-and-out box-to-box midfielder.

This season, Paulo Fonseca's young player has a good chance of featuring in the starting 11 with André Gomes gone, unlike his five starts in 2022/23. It is therefore an opportunity for him to have a more accomplished season in the rotation, or even in the starting 11, of a good Ligue 1 club.

However, it is hard to say no to the Brighton project, which gets the best out of young players, such as former Lille man Yves Bissouma, who plays in a similar role.

According to information reported in France and England, an offer of 16 million from Brighton has already been submitted to Lille. But the selling club are reportedly expecting 30 million. One to watch.

Mary SOUMARÉ