Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Carlos Baleba, the left-footed defensive midfielder from Brighton & Hove Albion, ahead of the 2025–26 season.

According to indykaila News on X, Brighton are said to be demanding £90 million in fixed fees plus £10 million in add-ons, while United value the 21-year-old midfielder at £70 million including add-ons. This gap in valuation could complicate negotiations, but the report also claims that Baleba is open to the move and could ask Brighton to lower their price.

As the transfer story develops, many fans are comparing Carlos Baleba vs Moisés Caicedo, with some wondering whether Manchester United would be getting a player capable of replicating the success that Caicedo has had since joining Chelsea from Brighton. Although Caicedo is two years older, the comparison is natural — both are combative central midfielders with a strong defensive presence and similar career paths.

Some fans have boldly claimed that Baleba is better than Caicedo, particularly in terms of ball-winning ability. Others have pointed out a key weakness: Baleba’s passing and progression under pressure are seen as areas of concern. This raises an important question: Is Carlos Baleba ready to step up to a top club like Manchester United, or does he still need time to develop before reaching Caicedo’s level?

In this article, we’ll break down their Premier League 2024–25 performances, analyzing each player’s strengths, weaknesses, and impact for their respective clubs. We’ll also explore whether Carlos Baleba has what it takes to become a top-level midfielder like Moisés Caicedo, or if Manchester United are investing more in potential than a proven product.

As you will see, In comparing Moisés Caicedo and Carlos Baleba, two defensive midfielders with similar profiles, it’s clear both bring high-level attributes to their roles. While Caicedo currently plays for a top-tier Chelsea side, Baleba is quietly building an impressive resume at Brighton.

Statistically, Caicedo edges it overall in areas like tackling efficiency, possession retention, and creative output. However, Baleba stands out in key metrics such as dribblers tackled, interceptions, blocks, and aerial duels — all while playing in a less dominant side. Most notably, Baleba offers more promise in progressive defensive actions and ball-carrying — vital traits for a modern defensive midfielder.

Non-Penalty Goals per 90:

Defensive midfielders rarely shine for their goal-scoring, but when they do contribute, it can win games and decide trophies. Non-penalty goals per 90 is a useful stat that measures how often a player scores in open play, adjusted for playing time.

Player	Club	Season	Stat Value
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	0.03
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	0.10

In the 2024–25 Premier League season, Carlos Baleba outperformed Moisés Caicedo in this area. Baleba averaged 0.10 non-penalty goals per 90, while Caicedo managed just 0.03.

Interestingly, Caicedo posted the same 0.03 figure in his final season at Brighton, before his move to Chelsea, showing little improvement in front of goal.

This suggests that in terms of scoring, Carlos Baleba has the edge over Moisés Caicedo, especially when comparing their time at Brighton.

Assists per 90

While not primary creators, this stat shows end-product.

Player	Club	Season	Assists per 90
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	0.05
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	0.03

Caicedo narrowly led with 0.05 assists per 90, ahead of Baleba’s 0.03 — a small edge, but not decisive.

Key Passes per 90

Key passes lead to shots — a key indicator of creative passing.

Player	Club	Season	Key Passes per 90
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	0.81
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	0.71

Caicedo again edged it, with 0.81 key passes per 90 over Baleba’s 0.71. He offered slightly more chance creation.

Through Balls per 90

Through balls cut through defenses — a top creative trait.

Player	Club	Season	Through Balls per 90
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	0.32
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	0.24

Caicedo played 0.32 per 90 compared to Baleba’s 0.24. Though both are low, Caicedo was more daring in breaking lines.

Shots on Target per 90

Shots on target per 90 shows how often a player tests the goalkeeper per game — a key indicator of scoring threat. In the 2024–25 Premier League season, Carlos Baleba outperformed Moisés Caicedo in this metric.

Player	Club	Season	Shots on Target per 90
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	0.08
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	0.37

Baleba recorded 0.37 shots on target per 90, compared to Caicedo’s 0.08 at Chelsea. Even during his final season at Brighton, Caicedo only managed 0.23, still behind Baleba’s current output.

This suggests that Carlos Baleba is more active and accurate in front of goal — a clear edge in the Carlos Baleba vs Moisés Caicedo comparison.

Overall Passing Accuracy (%)

Pass accuracy highlights how often a player finds a teammate — a key metric for controlling games in midfield.

Player	Club	Season	Pass Accuracy (%)
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	89.7%
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	87.4%

In the 2024–25 Premier League season, Moisés Caicedo posted a slightly better figure with 89.7%, compared to Carlos Baleba’s 87.4%.

The difference is minimal, especially considering both played for teams of different quality. For context, Caicedo had 88.5% pass accuracy in his final season at Brighton. To reach the top level in the Premier League, Baleba will need to sharpen this part of his game.

Long Pass Accuracy (%)

Long pass accuracy reflects a midfielder’s ability to play accurate balls over distance — essential for beating the press and switching play.

Player	Club	Season	Long Pass Accuracy (%)
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	76.4%
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	63.5%

In the 2024–25 Premier League season, Moisés Caicedo led the way with 76.4% long pass accuracy, while Carlos Baleba managed 63.5%.

Caicedo also posted a strong 79.2% in his final season at Brighton, showing consistency in this area. For Baleba to reach the level of top Premier League midfielders, his long passing will need to improve.

Progressive Passing Distance per 90 (Yards)

Progressive passing distance per 90 measures how far a player advances the ball upfield with passes toward the opponent’s goal — a key trait in evaluating ball progression and midfield impact.

Renowned football pundit Mark Goldbridge once said of Carlos Baleba:

“I really really like Baleba but people mustn’t misprofile him. Yes, he can tackle, intercept, and pass, but a huge strength is his ability to dribble, progress the ball, and win it high up the pitch. Would be wasted as a holder.”

However, Baleba’s progressive passing still needs refinement.

Player	Club	Season	Progressive Passing Distance (Yards)
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	240.35
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	160.35

In the 2024–2025 Premier League season, Carlos Baleba averaged 160.35 yards per 90 minutes, placing him in the 40th percentile among defensive midfielders — a long way off the elite standard.

By contrast, Moisés Caicedo posted 240.35 yards per 90, ranking in the 87th percentile. Even in his final season at Brighton, Caicedo averaged 230.40 yards per 90, placing him in the 80th percentile — proving his consistency as a high-level progressive passer.

Number of Progressive Passes per 90

This metric tracks how often a player successfully completes a pass that moves the ball significantly toward the opposition goal.

Player	Club	Season	Progressive Passes per 90
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	5.77
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	3.99

Once again, Moisés Caicedo comes out ahead. In 2024–2025, he averaged 5.77 progressive passes per 90, placing him in the 78th percentile.

Carlos Baleba, on the other hand, recorded 3.99 per 90, which ranks him in the 43rd percentile — a clear gap that highlights the difference in forward-passing influence between the two.

Even back in his Brighton days, Caicedo delivered 6.28 progressive passes per 90, maintaining his 78th percentile mark — underlining his consistency and quality at progressing the game from deep.

Progressive Carrying Distance per 90

Progressive carrying distance per 90 tracks how far a player drives the ball forward with his feet, directly influencing build-up play, transitions, and pressure relief from deep areas. It highlights a player’s confidence, ball control, and ability to push the team up the pitch.

Player	Club	Season	Progressive Carrying Distance per 90 (Yards)
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	90.89 yards
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	95.04 yards

In this area, Carlos Baleba outperformed Moisés Caicedo in the 2024–2025 Premier League season. Baleba averaged 95.04 yards per 90 (73rd percentile), edging Caicedo who managed 90.89 yards per 90 (71st percentile).

While the gap is small, it’s telling — especially considering Caicedo’s figure was even lower in his final Brighton season (82.46 yards per 90).

Number of Progressive Carries per 90

This metric measures how frequently a player carries the ball a meaningful distance towards the opponent’s goal.

Similar to progressive carrying distance per 90, it can help identify midfielders who can break lines and progress play through ball retention and movement.

Player	Club	Season	Progressive Carries per 90
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	1.15
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	1.45

Again, Carlos Baleba edges Moisés Caicedo. In the 2024–2025 season, Baleba recorded 1.45 progressive carries per 90 (58th percentile), compared to Caicedo’s 1.15 per 90 (40th percentile).

Despite being younger and playing in a less tactically refined Brighton side, Carlos Baleba is already outperforming Moisés Caicedo in both progressive carrying distance and volume — showcasing a level of maturity, ball-carrying dynamism, and vertical drive that suggests he’s ready to make the leap to a top-tier club.

Ball Recoveries per 90

Ball recoveries per 90 is a key stat for defensive midfielders and shows how often a player wins the ball back for his team — vital for regaining control and launching transitions.

Player	Club	Season	Ball Recoveries per 90
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	6.15
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	6.66

In 2024–2025, Carlos Baleba averaged 6.66 ball recoveries per 90, outperforming Moisés Caicedo, who managed 6.15. Despite playing in a less dominant Brighton side, Baleba showed sharper anticipation and positioning, reclaiming possession more frequently. In this metric, Baleba was the better ball-winner.

Tackles Won per 90

Tackles won show how often a player cleanly wins the ball back from an opponent.

Player	Club	Season	Tackles Won per 90
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	1.96
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	1.56

Caicedo was more effective here, averaging 1.96 tackles won per 90, compared to Baleba’s 1.56. In pure tackling success, Caicedo edges this one.

Dribblers Tackled Successfully per 90

This stat shows how well a midfielder stops opponents trying to dribble past them.

Player	Club	Season	Dribblers Tackled per 90
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	1.45
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	1.62

Baleba wins here with 1.62 dribbler tackles per 90, slightly better than Caicedo’s 1.45 — a sign of sharper 1v1 defending.

Challenges Lost per 90

Fewer challenges lost means more defensive duels won.

Player	Club	Season	Challenges Lost per 90
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	0.86
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	1.08

Caicedo had the better record here, losing just 0.86 challenges per 90, while Baleba lost 1.08. Caicedo shows stronger defensive dueling efficiency.

Blocks per 90

Blocks show how often a player disrupts passes or shots.

Player	Club	Season	Blocks per 90
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	1.32
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	1.59

Baleba made more with 1.59 blocks per 90, ahead of Caicedo’s 1.32. He was more proactive in cutting off passing lanes and closing down opponents.

Interceptions per 90

Interceptions reflect anticipation and reading of the game.

Player	Club	Season	Interceptions per 90
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	1.32
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	1.56

Baleba again led with 1.56 interceptions per 90, ahead of Caicedo’s 1.32, showing stronger awareness and positioning.

Clearances per 90

Clearances show how often a player removes danger.

Player	Club	Season	Clearances per 90
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	1.61
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	1.49

Caicedo made slightly more with 1.61 per 90, compared to Baleba’s 1.49 — a narrow advantage in clearing duties.

Miscontrols per 90

This stat tracks poor first touches that lose possession.

Player	Club	Season	Miscontrols per 90
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	0.99
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	1.32

Caicedo had fewer miscontrols (0.99) than Baleba (1.32), indicating slightly better ball security under pressure.

Dispossessed per 90

Being dispossessed measures how often a player loses the ball to an opponent.

Player	Club	Season	Dispossessed per 90
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	0.67
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	1.42

Caicedo was much safer in possession, losing it just 0.67 times per 90 compared to Baleba’s 1.42. This is a clear win for Caicedo.

Aerials Won per 90

This reflects how often a player wins aerial duels.

Player	Club	Season	Aerials Won per 90
Moisés Caicedo	Chelsea	2024–2025	0.94
Carlos Baleba	Brighton & Hove Albion	2024–2025	1.32

Baleba had the upper hand here, winning 1.32 aerials per 90 versus Caicedo’s 0.94, showing more presence in the air.

Conclusion: Carlos Baleba vs Moisés Caicedo: Can Manchester United’s Target Match Chelsea’s Midfield Star?

Overall, Caicedo remains the more polished and complete midfielder at this stage, especially in defensive stability and consistency. Yet, Baleba’s numbers reveal a player who is developing fast, offering similar — and in some areas, superior — output despite being younger and operating in a weaker system.

Just as Caicedo blossomed at Brighton before his big move, Baleba is showing he’s on a similar path. His ability to break up play, win aerial duels, and carry the ball forward signals that he is more than ready for a step up. A top club move feels like the natural next chapter for the rising Brighton talent.