Carlos Baleba has the potential to be better than both Moises Caicedo and Yves Bissouma. Don’t take our word for it. Ask Glenn Murray.
The former Brighton striker was speaking to 10bet about his heroes and villains from the 2024-25 Premier League season so far.
Conversation turned to who Murray thinks are currently the best prospects in the top flight. He namechecked Myles Lewis-Skelly at Arsenal (fair enough) and Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace (boo) before bringing up Carlos Baleba.
Murray told 10bet: “There are a number of young players coming through at my old club Brighton.”
“It is packed with potential and Carlos Baleba, as a DM, I think he’s got even more potential than Yves Bissouma and Moises Caicedo.”
“Brighton have had quite a rich vein of defensive midfielders coming through. I think this kid’s better than both of those. I think he’s absolutely exceptional.”
High praise indeed. Bissouma developed into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League over the course of four seasons with the Albion.
Most expected Bissouma to make a big money move in the summer of 2021 but he remained at Brighton for another 12 months.
After helping the Seagulls soar to what was then the highest ever finish in their history of ninth, he joined Spurs for £25 million. A cut price fee made possible by Bissouma entering the final year of his contract.
The blow of losing Bissouma was somewhat softened by the emergence of Caicedo. Glow Up Graham Potter handed Caicedo his debut in the 2-1 win at Arsenal on Grand National Day 2022.
Victory at the Emirates Stadium ended a desperate run of six defeats, one draw and just one goal scored in seven matches.
14 games later and form and performances had turned around to such a degree that Potter slithered off to take the Chelsea job.
Brighton did not miss Potter. Roberto De Zerbi arrived and instantly scaled even greater heights, leading the Seagulls to sixth place and European qualification for the first time ever.
It is no coincidence that Brighton enjoyed such a spectacular uplift in results over a 14 month period the minute Caicedo came into the starting XI.
His partnership with Alexis Mac Allister was arguably the biggest reason the Albion broke records under De Zerbi; even requiring Pascal Gross to be redeployed as a right back.
Any hopes Brighton had of holding onto Caicedo beyond the summer of 2023 went out the window when Chelsea were convinced to offer a British-record fee of £115 million.
Caicedo made a slow start to life at Stamford Bridge, not helped by the price tag or being part of a stuttering Blues side. But once he got his feet under the table, he started to perform to the same level he played at Brighton.
Bissouma and Caicedo are top quality players, so for Murray to say Baleba has the potential to usurp them is some statement.
How accurate is it? Who are we to disagree Murray? And anyone who has had the pleasure of watching Baleba regularly this season will probably think Murray has a point.
What makes Baleba special is that he combines the best traits of Bissouma and Caicedo, rolling them into a single player.
He reads the game like Caicedo, always managing to be in the right place at the right time to break up attacks. That sort of natural instinct and awareness it is difficult to teach.
In terms of Bissouma, Baleba possesses his ability and willingness to carry the ball forward. He covers ground quickly, whizzes around opponents and easily turns defence into attack.
Where Baleba clearly has the potential to outdo Bissouma and Caicedo is in goal scoring. He has notched three times in 20 appearances so far this season.
Caicedo scored only twice for Brighton during his entire time at the Amex. Bissouma bagged three Premier League goals in 112 games for the Albion.
Further underlining Baleba’s potential to be better than Bissouma and Caicedo is what he is doing at this very early stage of his career compared to those two.
Bissouma had 49 senior games under his belt for Lille when he arrived at the Amex in the summer of 2018. It then took him 18 months to become established as a first team regular at the age of 23.
Caicedo was not deemed ready for his Premier League debut for 16 months following his signing for Brighton. Before appearing in English football, the Albion sent him on loan to Belgian side Beerschot.
Baleba joined Brighton after only six professional starts for Lille. He is still just 21-years-old. To be playing consistently well in the toughest league in the world at such a young age and with relatively little experience is astonishing.
And it is why Brighton fans should make the most out of Baleba. Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal are rumoured to be interested in signing the midfielder, whose value will only increase if he irons out issues like discipline.
Baleba was sent off at Plucky Little Bournemouth and picked up an unnecessary first half booking for trying to get a Leicester player yellow carded at the King Power Stadium.
Fabian Hurzeler opted to withdraw Baleba that day to prevent him picking up another yellow and seeing red. The question which then hung over Brighton throwing away a 2-0 lead against the Foxes was would that final 10 minutes collapse have happened if Baleba was on the pitch?
Probably not. Likewise, squandering a 2-0 advantage to draw at home with Wolves, which occurred after Baleba was substituted.
Those two games highlight how important Baleba already is to Brighton. Potentially better than Bissouma and Caicedo? Yes. Time will tell if Murray is right.
