Fabian Hurzeler has set out his expectations for Carlos Baleba with Albion this season,
The head coach is “very, very, very confident” his in-demand midfielder will remain on board beyond the forthcoming transfer deadline.
He is a contender to start as the Premier League season kicks off against Fulham at the Amex today (3pm).
Hurzeler said Baleba has not been affected by talk about him being targeted by Manchester United.
The latest suggestions from Manchester on Friday evening were that United had opted not to pursue the midfielder in this window.
While possibly saving face for United, that did not materially change the situation as the player was not going to be sold anyway.
Asked by The Argus on Friday morning what he wants from Baleba in 2025-26, the Seagulls boss told The Argus: "Making the next step.
“So getting more mature in decision-making, getting more mature regarding game management, being more consistent in the performances that we expect from him.”
Hurzeler’s confident assertion about the Cameroon international appeared to cause some surprise as he was questioned at his eve-of-match press conference.
He revealed he has seen just one change in the 21-year-old amid the recent headlines.
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Hurzeler said: “He only changed his hair, so I think that was the only change he made the last two weeks!
“But overall, he seems to be in a really good place. He's enjoying it with his team-mates, he's enjoying being a Brighton player.
“He's very grateful to have the process he had in the last season, so I didn't see any big change. And he's an option to start (against Fulham), yes.”
