INEOS will be taking note as ‘first-choice’ PL target left ‘inconsolable’ after ‘nightmare’ display

Carlos Baleba oversaw a ‘nightmare’ first half last night as Brighton and Hove Albion locked horns with Aston Villa in the West Midlands.Amidst the Seagulls’ desperate plight to find form in the Premier League, the midfielder couldn’t contribute in the way he – or Fabian Hurzeler –  intended ahead of kick-off.How Baleba fared vs Villa on Wednesday night(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)Baleba, who was said to be Ruben Amorim’s ‘first-choice’ target last summer, was shown a yellow card inside two minutes at Villa Park.Just 20 minutes later, Hurzeler decided to withdraw him from the action entirely when he narrowly escaped a second booking, after which the 22-year-old was spotted looking ‘inconsolable’ on the Brighton bench. And he’s been substituted after 22 minutes as he buries his head in his shirt. He’s inconsolable on the bench. Overall that’s a nightmare outing from Baleba. https://t.co/ugT9UxxnWD — Nathan Salt (@NathSalt1) February 11, 2026 https://t.co/tWhcFBiAbD pic.twitter.com/Grhckl0TAe — Nathan Salt (@NathSalt1) February 11, 2026Those who’ve kept tabs on Brighton’s affairs during the term will know that Baleba’s performances have faltered considerably in comparison to 2024/2025 – and the Seagulls manager thinks United’s interest has something to do with it.Back in September, when it was becoming clear that the Cameroonian was struggling to find his feet following an approach from the Red Devils, Hurzeler told reporters: “For sure, when a young boy reads there is interest from Manchester United with a big, big offer, it might affect him deep, deep down.“That’s also part of the development to understand that when you play well, there comes a big offer, there comes a big club that wants to have him.”What happened with United and Baleba last year?(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)A formal offer was never submitted by United, but Baleba had green-lit the move and made it clear he wanted to make the switch to Old Trafford.However, after Brighton outlined their stance that he wasn’t for sale, he honoured their requests and didn’t go as far as forcing a transfer.Baleba is now among a host of Premier League stars being monitored by INEOS chiefs in the lead-up to the summer window, with Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali all greatly admired in M16.