Carlos Baleba has had an unusual season on the South Coast, with half-time and even pre-half-time substitutions, being left out of the squad entirely, and an overly bad name for the grand scheme of football.

Only last summer, Manchester United were linked with a move for Baleba, in a deal which could even exceed the record-breaking £115 million valuation that the Seagulls set for Moisés Caicedo in 2023.

Let's look at the Cameroonian international with some respect on his name, this is an elite young talent, who has the genuine potential to become a world-class midfielder. 

From a fan's perspective, it has been very frustrating. Since the links, Baleba has not turned up at all. In fact, for a large majority of the season, we've even been forced to forget largely about him as an individual. 

His expulsion from the squad has been difficult to balance. Is it fair? Is it not? Ultimately, that will be a topic of discourse. The head coach, Fabian Hürzeler, has had a difficult time debating how to control this situation. It would be easy to suggest sweeping things under the carpet, but when you have a player who is a game-changer sitting on the bench, it becomes tough. 

It isn't surprising, to an extent, that Baleba has been turned by the international interest. Realistically, only a couple of years ago, he wasn't thought of at all as a player. In fact, comparing him to Caicedo would be considered as an insult to the general football crowd. Going from being an unknown quantity to seeing your name in lights, consistently in the news and linked with crazy money moves, it is bound to get inside the head of a young player. 

As Brighton fans, we have to accept that these players don't start playing football, seeing the Amex as a final destination. Their ambitions exist elsewhere, and so they should. 

The counterargument to this would be the overall dealing. The early substitutions are incredibly insulting and border an element of disrespect. No player wants to be humilated, especially when they are technically one of the best in the squad. Sitting on the bench must have been difficult for Baleba; and when you put yourself in his shoes, you can understand the amount of frustration and repent that would have built over the past months. 

However, no player is bigger than the club. Even with the rise in player power in recent years, this may seem harder to believe. Brighton have been placed in difficult positions as a club with the instant 'fame' that young players attract at a rapid speed these days, and for the most part, these have been dealt with brilliantly. The treatment of young players like Facundo Buonanotte, Carlos Baleba, Valentin Barco, and Evan Ferguson, to name a few, has been very questionable. Being a club that likes to raise young players and give them the platform they need to grow as individuals... none of these players is close to the first team squad anymore. Barco has totally departed on a permanent transfer!

When you look with a cumulative bias, these players all stack up with very similar stories. Perhaps, this is something the club needs to look into. For the most part, this cannot be said. Brighton were one of the best and most attractive clubs for young players to grow and flourish. However, now the squad is largely an experienced one, utilising the likes of 40-year-old Premier League appearance record-breaker, James Milner. 

Baleba has a long way to go in his career, and still, I do strongly believe the best possible place for him to grow is at Brighton. An element of understanding from both sides is required. Unfortunately, it is increasingly likely that he departs this summer.

Baleba is the type of player who will get you on the edge of your seat.

When he is in his flow, he can dictate entire midfields. Not just on the side he is playing for, but also against. Physical, imposing with good passing and shooting ability. He is very good under pressure and is very strong when it comes to his signature bursts through midfield. When he bursts, nobody can stop him. 

Baleba has an astute ability to make opposing midfielders look inadequate, like they are not even there! Combined with his overall game, you are witnessing a baby Yaya Touré, basically. 

For many Brighton fans, his profile, while different, was significantly more exciting than Caicedo's. As good as Caicedo is, and probably still wins in the ball receiving department, especially when it comes to the first phase of play, Baleba has a better all-round profile. 

Baleba has an addictive left foot. He can shoot, and he can win games on his own. We have seen it on many occasions, and he even scored one of the best winning goals the Amex crowd has seen, with a 25-yard rocket with one of the last kicks of the game to complete an incredible comeback against West Ham last season. 

All things considered, he was the standout of the 2024/25 season and arguably deserved to be awarded the 'Player of the Season' award as it closed.

If this isn't something to get rival fans excited, I really am not sure what else will be! If he were to leave Brighton this summer, even for a fee in the region of £70 million - £80 million, it would prove to be a modern-day bargain. Under a coach he can get on with, and a club that knows how to guide him, there is a player inside him that could be unlocked on the global stage.