De Zerbi expressed his admiration for two players who stood out in Liverpool’s fierce clash, highlighting their incredible potential.
Albion managed to secure a point thanks to goals from Simon Adingra and Lewis Dunk in a back-and-forth game at the Amex on Sunday, October 8.
Despite Brighton initially taking the lead in the 20th minute, Mohammed Salah’s two goals before half-time turned the match around.
De Zerbi considered the 2-2 draw a valuable point for his team, especially considering their recovery from the heavy defeat to Aston Villa the previous weekend.
He particularly praised the performances of Adingra and Baleba, stating that their contributions were crucial in securing the draw against Liverpool.
Adingra and Baleba’s performance against Liverpool
The 21-year-old Winger Simon Adingra capitalized on a mistake from Alisson in the opponents’ goal to give the Seagulls the lead during the first half.
The goal was a result of Liverpool’s blunder, as Alisson carelessly passed the ball to Alexis Mac Allister without noticing Adingra’s presence.
Adingra smartly seized the opportunity by stealing the ball and quickly taking a shot, rolling it inside the post before Alisson could recover.
However, Baleba’s performance was even more impressive, as the midfielder stood out in his first Premier League start.
In a chaotic game that ended in a draw on the south coast, Liverpool was left unsettled while Brighton began to dominate after Baleba exposed the weak midfield of the visitors.
Carlos Baleba’s Premier League debut ended in what seemed like a burden as the youngster fought relentlessly until the end of the match.
In the closing moments of the match, the 19-year-old was seen hunched over, struggling for breath and desperately urging his goalkeeper to hold onto the ball for just a bit longer.
At that point, his appearance was unkempt, with his socks drooping and shorts rolled up but he never gave up.
His final action involved bringing down Liverpool’s speedy Ryan Gravenberch, which resulted in a deserved yellow card.
When the referee blew the whistle signaling the end of this exhilarating 2-2 draw, Baleba collapsed onto the ground in relief while combatting leg cramps.
When discussing the emerging talent at the Amex Stadium currently, the name Baleba is becoming increasingly prominent. And that includes the manager, Roberto De Zerbi, who confidently declared that Baleba’s £23m signing from Lille this summer will secure the future of the club.
De Zerbi said without hesitation on Baleba’s £23m signing this summer from Lille: “He will be the future of the club.”
Additionally, De Zerbi acknowledged the impressive performance of Igor, as well as praising Ansu Fati, Dahoud, Joao Pedro, and the other new players who played exceptionally well.
Simon Adingra and Carlos Baleba profile
Simon Adingra, born on 1 January 2002, is a professional footballer from Ivory Coast.
He is known for his position as a winger and currently plays for Premier League team Brighton & Hove Albion as well as the Ivory Coast national team.
Carlos Baleba, on the other hand, was born on 3 January 2004.
The 19-year-old is a professional football player who is versatile in both central and defensive midfield positions.
He plays for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion and also represents Cameroon national team.
Adingra and Baleba stat
Both Adingra and Baleba are part of a group of young, exceptionally talented players aiming to leave their mark on the Premier League with Brighton.
Adingra marked his debut for Brighton as a substitute in the first match of the 2023-24 season on 12 August.
He displayed his capabilities by scoring the team’s third goal in a 4-1 home victory against newly promoted Luton Town.
Meanwhile, Baleba’s football journey started at Futur Soccer FC in Douala before he joined the École de Football des Brasseries du Cameroun academy center at the age of 13.
Known for his versatility, he joined Brighton & Hove Albion on 29 August 2023 from Lille for an initial fee of €27 million, with a possible additional €3 million in add-ons.
He made his debut for the Albion on 24 September, coming on as a substitute for Mahmoud Dahoud in a 3-1 home victory against AFC Bournemouth.
Adingra and Baleba’s playing style
Playing as a forward, Adingra excels in both winger and striker roles. His impressive link-up play and goal-scoring ability have garnered attention.
Renowned for his endurance, dribbling skills, and wide passing range, Baleba is a strong and complete central midfielder who can operate as a box-to-box player or a holding midfielder.
He has looked up to esteemed players such as Paul Pogba, Kevin De Bruyne, Thiago Alcântara, Nicolas Pépé, and Idrissa Gueye, who have all previously played for Lille.
Adingra and Baleba’s market value and salary
According to reports, Carlos Baleba is currently valued between €4.8M and €8M in terms of transfer value. He earns a weekly salary of £12,500, which adds up to an annual pay of £650,000.
On the other hand, Simon Adingra’s transfer value is reported to be between €8.5M and €14.1M, and he also receives the same salary as Baleba.
