07 Sep 2025 16:07:34
Ed01, int'l breaks are so boring so kindly indulge me. Although we won the league with this midfield but there is always room for improvements. If you were to improve this midfield, what would you do?
Also, I know he will be here till next summer at least but what would you do about Salah's position? I mean, it does seem like there is no like for like replacement out there but if you're the manager, how would you solve this issue? Thanks.
{Ed001's Note - the midfield just lacks a Baleba type powerhouse to be perfect.
I think we signed Frimpong to take over long term. Wirtz takes over the creative side and some of the goals.}
07 Sep 2025 16:53:37
Would you not prefer Wharton over Baleba Ed? For me I think he would be the ideal player to add to McAllister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai and Wirtz.
{Ed001's Note - no, he is not a step up and he offers nothing we don't already have in spades other than being predominantly left footed.}
07 Sep 2025 17:37:47
Who better do u reckon ed1, caicedo r. baleba?
{Ed001's Note - Baleba.}
07 Sep 2025 18:17:29
Baleba for me too. Caicedo is not at his level.
07 Sep 2025 18:30:09
I've always liked caicedo myself, thought he would've been great signing for us at the time we bid for him.
07 Sep 2025 21:27:36
ED001, would it be Baleba-Grav-Wirtz as your possible midfield 3, if we had Baleba? Cheers.
{Ed001's Note - or Szobo in place of any.}
07 Sep 2025 22:53:38
Baleba would be an incredible signing, although I have to say I think Caicedo is better and potentially a generational sort of player when I watch him at times. Maybe has to improve his consistency.
Unfortunately Slot doesn't seem to want to set his midfield up this way, preferring two ball creative players. What do I know? In slot I trust.
08 Sep 2025 10:54:27
Baleba is a bit raw for me. He’s strong as an ox and a powerful runner but I don’t think he’s technically as good as our current midfield players.
I don’t watch a lot of Brighton games though so others may see it different.
08 Sep 2025 11:49:22
I honestly don’t see what people see in Caicedo. I’ve watched him dozens of times and I see an average premier league midfield player.
He’s not bad but he’s never done anything special in any game I’ve watched him play in. Runs around a lot, will put tackles in but so did Robbie Savage and neither particularly excel at anything else.
I don’t get it, maybe I’m missing something.
08 Sep 2025 15:10:02
Navy Keith, I watch a fair few of Brighton games esp. when they play our rivals and trust me, Baleba is that dude. He is built like a tank, very skillfull and since I wasn't sure if he was right footed or left footed. Apparently, he is two footed.
Caicedo is very good for what Chelsea need him to do (cos that matters) but in terms of player ability and strengths, Baleba has a lot more to offer. Just my opinion.