Carlos Baleba: Why Liverpool is the Right Move for the Brighton Star | OneFootball

Carlos Baleba: A Future Liverpool Star? Why Tchoutang Believes He Should Snub Chelsea

Liverpool’s interest in Brighton’s rising star, Carlos Baleba, has been the subject of much speculation in recent months. The 21-year-old Cameroonian midfielder has been turning heads with his dynamic performances for Brighton, and it appears that Liverpool, under the leadership of Arne Slot, could be his next destination. Former Cameroon international Bernard Tchoutang has weighed in on the matter, advising Baleba to choose Liverpool over Chelsea, citing the Reds’ style of play as a perfect fit for the young midfielder.

Tchoutang’s Verdict on Baleba’s Next Move

Bernard Tchoutang, speaking to Africa Foot, outlined why he believes Liverpool would be the ideal next step for Carlos Baleba. “Liverpool is the club that would suit him best for me, and I’m not just saying that because they are by far the best team in the Premier League this season and one of the strongest in Europe,” Tchoutang stated. He added, “Arne Slot’s system of play would suit him very well. The Reds like to attack, press and move quickly in transition.”

Photo IMAGO

Tchoutang’s comments reflect a growing belief that Baleba has the potential to thrive in a team that prioritises high-intensity football. Liverpool’s quick transitions and aggressive pressing style have been a hallmark of their success in recent years, and Tchoutang believes that the young midfielder would be a natural fit in Slot’s system.

Why Chelsea May Not Be the Right Fit

While Tchoutang spoke highly of Liverpool’s prospects for Baleba, he was less convinced about a move to Chelsea. “As for Chelsea, I’m not sure it would be a good choice,” Tchoutang said. “The team is having a decent season, but it’s a notch below Liverpool or Arsenal, and I think Baleba has the level to play in one of the best teams in England. He’s ready for it; he’s working for it.”

This critique of Chelsea’s current status is telling, especially considering the Blues’ struggles in recent seasons. While Chelsea have spent heavily in the transfer market, their squad is still in the process of finding a consistent identity. In contrast, Liverpool, with their proven pedigree and strong tactical setup under Slot, could offer Baleba a more immediate path to competing at the highest level.

Photo: IMAGO

Baleba’s Impact at Brighton

Carlos Baleba’s performances at Brighton have been nothing short of impressive. The 21-year-old has been integral to Brighton’s solid 2024/25 season, with his all-round contributions in midfield standing out. “Baleba has been a mainstay of their impressive 2024/25 campaign, averaging the second-highest WhoScored performance rating of any Seagulls player,” reports Africa Foot. Baleba has also made more tackles (2.3) and interceptions (1.6) per game than any of his teammates, solidifying his reputation as one of the Premier League’s brightest young midfield talents.

Brighton’s value of Baleba at £55 million last year underscores how highly they regard the midfielder. Though not in the same price bracket as Moisés Caicedo, Baleba’s value continues to rise as he consistently delivers strong performances in one of the Premier League’s most competitive environments.

Challenge of Breaking into Liverpool’s Midfield

A move to Liverpool, however, would present challenges for Baleba. With players like Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch forming a formidable midfield partnership at Anfield, breaking into such a well-established engine room would be no easy feat. However, with Liverpool likely to continue their pursuit of top-tier talent, it’s clear that Baleba’s potential will not go unnoticed.

Photo: IMAGO

Despite the fierce competition for places, Baleba’s profile aligns with Liverpool’s strategic pursuit of dynamic, high-energy midfielders. Should a move to Anfield materialise, the young Cameroonian would be joining a club with ambitions to consistently challenge for major honours.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

The potential signing of Carlos Baleba would be an exciting prospect for the club. Tchoutang’s insights about the midfielder’s suitability for Liverpool’s high-pressing, transition-heavy style of play align with what we have seen from Baleba at Brighton this season. His ability to dominate midfield battles, coupled with his impressive tackling and interception stats, makes him a strong candidate to add depth and competition to an already talented midfield.

What is exciting is the fact that Liverpool, under Arne Slot, are looking to maintain their aggressive and fluid style of play, and Baleba could seamlessly slot into that system. His youth and hunger for success could also provide Liverpool with an injection of energy and dynamism, crucial for the next phase of their development.

While there’s no doubting Chelsea’s resources and long-term ambitions, their current rebuilding phase could leave Baleba better suited to Liverpool, who have an established and consistent system in place. Moreover, with the likelihood of European football next season, Baleba’s future at Anfield could see him competing at the highest level – something we as Liverpool fans would undoubtedly relish.