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.
Makes starting XI
Baleba (knee) makes the starting XI for Saturday's opener against Fulham.
ANALYSIS
Baleba starts in the midfield for the season opener against Fulham after recovering from a recent knee injury that kept him out of the preseason friendlies. The youngster had returned to team training last Friday and looked fit enough to earn a place in the starting XI.
Baleba starts in the midfield for the season opener against Fulham after recovering from a recent knee injury that kept him out of the preseason friendlies. The youngster had returned to team training last Friday and looked fit enough to earn a place in the starting XI.
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Brighton & Hove AlbionMore Fantasy News
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.
ANALYSIS
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Buries one in victory
Carlos Baleba scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Saturday's 3-2 victory versus West Ham United.
ANALYSIS
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Started against Chelsea
Baleba started and played 75 minutes during the 2-1 FA Cup win against Chelsea.
ANALYSIS
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Man United to chase him next summer
Manchester United are expected to pursue a move for Baleba in the summer of 2026, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
ANALYSIS
Manchester United won't be able to complete a move for Baleba this summer, but the Red Devils aren't going to give up on the Cameroonian so easily. Expect them to pursue him in the summer of 2026, and after strengthening their attack in the current window, there's a chance Baleba might be the team's top target in 12 months.
Manchester United won't be able to complete a move for Baleba this summer, but the Red Devils aren't going to give up on the Cameroonian so easily. Expect them to pursue him in the summer of 2026, and after strengthening their attack in the current window, there's a chance Baleba might be the team's top target in 12 months.