Carlos Baleba of Brighton & Hove Albion
Carlos Baleba of Brighton & Hove Albion(Image: Getty Images)
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has admitted Manchester United target Carlos Baleba 'needs time' to get back to his best following an uncertain summer regarding his future.
Ruben Amorim's side were in the market for a new midfielder and identified Baleba as a priority for that position. Last month, it was reported that United contacted the Seagulls - via intermediaries - to explore a potential move for the Cameroon international.
Despite increased speculation, Baleba, who has three years left on his contract, remained at the Amex Stadium following the end of the transfer window.
Baleba had started in each of Brighton's first three Premier League matches, but Hurzeler decided to drop him down to the bench for Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth. In the end, Baleba came on in the 66th minute but couldn't prevent the Seagulls from losing at the Vitality Stadium.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Hurzeler acknowledge that the speculation has not been simple for Baleba to handle. "I think it's normal for a young player when the media creates the noise around him," he said. "It's not easy for this player to handle it."
"Therefore, we need to give him the time and support so he comes back to his best performance," Hurzeler continued. "But he's a young player and I think that's something we have to accept, that young players don't always have the face we want to see."
Although United failed to sign him in the summer, Baleba is understood to remain keen on a switch in the future. Brighton, however, are confident of keeping him for at least another season.
Indeed, Hurzeler had warned off suitors before the window closed. Asked in August how confident he was that Baleba would stay, he replied: "Very, very, very confident." When pressed for a reason, he said: "Just my belief."
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