
Carlos Baleba
21-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.

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
Baleba is still a young player and needs to build on his fitness at the beginning of the season as he looks to confirm his breakout campaign from last year with the Seagulls. The midfielder is still not at full fitness and was substituted at halftime against Spurs on Saturday as he needs more time to reach full sharpness and complete a full Premier League match.
Baleba is still a young player and needs to build on his fitness at the beginning of the season as he looks to confirm his breakout campaign from last year with the Seagulls. The midfielder is still not at full fitness and was substituted at halftime against Spurs on Saturday as he needs more time to reach full sharpness and complete a full Premier League match.
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Working up fitness
Baleba continues to work up his fitness, according to manager Fabian Hurzeler. "It's very positive for Carlos. Of course, we needed to take care of him after he was out for almost three, four weeks. And we couldn't let him play for 90 minutes. But now it's about getting him back to his highest level regarding physicality, and then I'm sure he will be an option for us at the weekend."
ANALYSIS
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Makes starting XI
Baleba (knee) makes the starting XI for Saturday's opener against Fulham.
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Option to start Saturday
Baleba (knee) is an option to start the season opener against Fulham on Saturday, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in the press conference, according to The Argus.
ANALYSIS
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Deals with knee injury
Baleba is dealing with a knee injury sustained during the pre-season camp in Marbella but has been training in recent days and will be back for the season opener against Fulham, coach Fabian Hurzeler told the media, according to The Athletic.
ANALYSIS
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Makes 31 starts
Baleba started in 31 of his 34 appearances with Brighton in the Premier League.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors

Reds to enter race?
Liverpool could enter the race to sign Baleba, according to TEAMTalk.
ANALYSIS
Manchester United are interested in the Cameroon international, and now the Reds are looking to snap him up if possible. Liverpool lack a true defensive specialist in midfield, so Baleba would be an excellent addition to a midfield that already features Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai as playmakers along Florian Wirtz.
Manchester United are interested in the Cameroon international, and now the Reds are looking to snap him up if possible. Liverpool lack a true defensive specialist in midfield, so Baleba would be an excellent addition to a midfield that already features Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai as playmakers along Florian Wirtz.