Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has admitted Carlos Baleba needs time and support to rediscover his best form after a summer of heavy speculation over his future.
The 21-year-old midfielder started the Seagulls' first three Premier League games before the international break but was named on the bench for Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth, coming on in the 66th minute.
Baleba has been at the centre of transfer talk for months, with Manchester United identifying the Cameroon international as their top midfield target before abandoning a move late in the window after failing to make progress on a deal.
A price tag of around £120million had been mooted.
Despite United's withdrawal, Baleba is understood to remain keen on a switch in the future. Brighton, however, are confident of keeping him for at least another season.
Hurzeler publicly stated before the opener against Fulham that he was 'very, very, very confident' the player would stay.
Speaking after the defeat at Bournemouth, the German acknowledged that the speculation has not been easy 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.
'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.'
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and enjoyed a breakout campaign last term, establishing himself as one of the most exciting young midfielders in the division.
His dynamism and ability to break the press made him a key figure in Roberto De Zerbi's side before Hurzeler took charge last summer.
United's interest underlined his rapid rise. The club had earmarked him as an ideal partner for Bruno Fernandes after their worst-ever Premier League finish left midfield as a priority area.
Hurzeler, though, 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.'
He added at the time that Baleba's attitude had not changed despite the links.
'He only changed his hair, that was the only change he made in the last two weeks,' Hurzeler said. '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.'
Olilatonny95
10
they would have allowed him join the team. African players always dream to play for big PL teams like United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea when they are young. be it they fade in their forms, it doesn't matter to them but representing those badges means a lot to them and their families' leagacy