Brighton star Carlos Baleba has been named the best midfielder in the Premier League by former Blackpool and Liverpool man Charlie Adam.
Speaking to Best Betting Site, Adam did not hesitate when hailing Baleba after being asked for the central midfield player who has impressed him the most so far this season – whilst also praising Yasin Ayari.
“I’m a big fan of Carlos Baleba at Brighton,” said Adam. “The two lads, Baleba and Yasin Ayari, at Brighton have been very good.”
“I watched them when Brighton won at Manchester United. I thought they were excellent. Are they the next ones from the conveyor belt to maybe move on?”
“The Cameroonian is a very good player, 21 years of age. I think that he’s been something that’s different from what’s been in the Premier League.”
“Seeing Kevin De Bruyne back again is something that I love. I also think the lads at Forest have done a brilliant job in terms of how they are and deserve a mention.”
Baleba has not been short of praise in 2024-25. Earlier in January, Glenn Murray claimed Baleba will become better than Moises Caicedo and Yves Bissouma. Some statement that.
But one which a lot of Albion supporters would agree with. Why? Because Baleba combines the best traits of Bissouma and Caicedo, giving him the potential to become the ultimate box-to-box midfielder.
Midfield players who can do it all in the modern game are rare. This is what Adam is presumably referring to when he says Baleba is different to anything else in the Premier League.
Baleba reads the game like Caicedo. He is always in the right place at the right time to break up attacks, helping to explain why Brighton have been so hard to beat this season.
That sort of natural instinct and awareness it is difficult to teach. It is also why Fabian Hurzeler has trusted him to play as a defender in a back three at times. Baleba’s positional sense is second-to-none.
In terms of Bissouma, Baleba possesses his ability and willingness to carry the ball forward. He quickly turns defence into attack by driving 50 to 70 yards up the pitch on powerful charges. Once Baleba has the ball for Brighton, he is mighty hard to dispossess.
Adam’s ex-club have been linked with signing Baleba in the summer (Liverpool, not Blackpool). And they are not the only ones.
Arsenal are reported to have a long-standing interest in Baleba and Spurs may also make a move, meaning he could partner with Bissouma in midfield at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Whilst losing Baleba would be a blow, Brighton have done their usual preparation for such an eventuality. There is a clear succession plan in place for when Baleba does leave.
Diego Gomez has just signed for £12 million from Inter Miami. Matt O’Riley looks more of a defensive midfielder than a number 10 having joined in the summer. Mats Wieffer was purchased in the same window.
Jack Hinshelwood is likely to end up in midfield rather than the full back role he has fulfilled for most of his fledgling career so far.
Malick Yacourye meanwhile has been earning rave reviews on loan at Sturm Graz. The 19-year-old was signed for £6 million from IFK Gothenburg in the summer and is already been compared to Baleba, Caicedo and Bissouma.
And then there is Ayari. One of the biggest surprise stories of the current campaign, most expected Ayari would head out on loan in 2024-25 having not pulled any trees up during spells at Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers last season.
Ayari though has become a first team regular under Hurzeler. He remains very much a work in progress with his inconsistency frequently shown by a shocking first half performance followed by an incredible second. The 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal was like watching Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
But when Ayari puts two good halves of football together in the same game, he looks great. United was one of those days, making it little wonder that Adam was impressed enough to namecheck Ayari alongside Baleba.
