Elliot Anderson’s rise in the Premier League has drawn significant attention as he surpasses his counterpart, Carlos Baleba, who is experiencing a concerning decline in performance this season. MB Media/Getty Images Anderson has shown impressive growth in all the right areas, solidifying his spot as one of the top talents for club and country. Meanwhile, Baleba’s statistics reveal a worrying trend, raising questions about his potential as Brighton’s next big midfield prospect.
The 2023-24 Premier League season has been a whirlwind for Baleba. Once considered a coveted talent who attracted interest from Manchester United during the summer transfer window, his current form tells a different story. A closer look at Baleba’s passing accuracy shows these numbers are consistent with Baleba’s passing accuracy being down by more than five percent from last season. He is now completing 6.67 fewer passes per 90 minutes. These declines have raised the alarm from fans and analysts to his lack of impact on the field.
Baleba’s Struggles Highlighted
Carlos Baleba’s advanced stats paint a dire picture of what’s happened over the last year. He studied 13 fundamental categories and found drops in 11 of them. This pretty drastic drop-off points to a pretty big fall off in his general contributions. His attacking output has gone down the drain. Baleba is now averaging fewer shots and fewer chances created per 90 compared to the last campaign. This decline in production has caused many to scratch their heads, particularly when you take into account the expectations that accompanied him when he got there.
The story has remained unchanged on the other side of the ball defensively. Baleba’s last 5 games tackling statistics are quite alarming. He declined from an average of 2.66 tackles per 90 minutes last season to only 1.55 this season. The Seagulls are in the midst of a shocking drop off defensively. This downturn threatens to undercut the all-action midfielder role that Baleba was anticipated to tack on his arrival at the club.
Baleba’s battle is far from over, having played a full 90 in the Premier League just once this season. On top of that, he’s been benched at the half on four other occasions. All such considerations have compounded the urgency for Baleba to recover his touch.
“Carlos won’t get better if he only gets compliments and claps from outside. I think he will get better if he has a safe environment, but also honest feedback where he knows what he needs to improve,” – Hurzeler.
Anderson Shines Brightly
Elliot Anderson has emerged as a key player for Nottingham Forest so far this season. He’s missed exactly 0 minutes of Premier League action, an impressive run of endurance and extreme fitness levels. Statistically he’s one of the league’s best players at winning the ball back in the middle and defensive thirds of the pitch. This ability has been vital to his team’s success.
Anderson’s impressive form extends beyond club duty. He played an integral role in England’s Under-21 squad as they retained their European title. His contributions across all six matches highlighted his versatility and importance within the team structure. His development has been lauded by coaches and fans alike, with many hailing him as the next big thing in English football.
Just yesterday former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was waxing lyrical about Anderson’s potential. He added that Anderson and Declan Rice are both well clear of their rivals for midfield spots as the World Cup looms. This recognition highlights Anderson’s standing as one of the most precocious gifts in the Premier League.
The Future of Both Midfielders
During the course of this new season, followers will closely track the different journeys between Anderson and Baleba. Pundits will scrutinize their performances with wide-eyed fascination. While Anderson continues to shine, demonstrating improvement in key areas of his game, Baleba must confront his challenges head-on if he hopes to regain his former status as a valuable asset to Brighton.
For Baleba, it seems that the injection of some constructive criticism and support will be key to getting him out of his current rut. Club management will need to foster an environment that promotes growth while addressing the alarming trends in his performance data. At the same time, Anderson’s rise is an example of all that one can accomplish with hard work and unshakable resolve.
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