BRIGHT SPARK
Brighton surprise package Carlos Baleba currently Dream Team’s second most in-form midfielder
The Cameroon international averages 10.3 points-per-game across his last three outings
CARLOS BALEBA (£2.7m) has emerged as a surprise package in the world of Dream Team.
The Brighton midfielder averages 10.3 points-per-game across his last three outings, which technically makes him Dream Team's second most in-form player in his position at the time of writing.
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Cole Palmer (£6.2m) tops the metric after he bagged four goals in one half against the Seagulls for a massive return of 34 points.
Understandably, Chelsea's blossoming superstar hogged the spotlight but the fact Baleba banked 18 points in defeat shouldn't have gone unnoticed.
The 20-year-old midfielder was credited with the assist for Georginio Rutter's (£2.8m) opening goal before he later seized on a second error from Robert Sanchez (£3.6m) to score a goal of his own.
Add in a goal against Wolves in Gameweek 4 and it's no wonder Baleba has skyrocketed up the rankings of late - Dominic Solanke (£4.2m) is the only player other than Palmer to have earned more points in his last three appearances.
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The Cameroon international has also developed a useful habit of picking up bonus points, ten in his last six outings to be precise.
Only five players have earned more in total since the start of the campaign.
Not only that, he gets through plenty of defensive work.
Baleba has registered 21 tackles so far in 2024/25, a tally bettered by only five midfielders right now.
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While Baleba seemingly ticks a lot of boxes in the world of Dream Team, gaffers should proceed with caution.
The fact he ranks joint-47th for shots on target among all players suggests his fruitful spell in front of goal may not be sustainable.
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Additionally, Brighton's fixtures have taken a turn for the worse.
Having been beaten by Chelsea at the weekend, Fabian Hurzeler's side are now due to face Tottenham, Newcastle, Wolves, Liverpool (x2) and Manchester City in their next six games.
Four of these fixtures will take place on home soil but it's still likely to be one of the most testing runs of the season for the south coast side.
Plus, Brighton don't have European commitments to bolster their schedule.
Baleba deserves credit for his recent efforts but Dream Team bosses who recruit him ahead of Gameweek 7 may simply be chasing lost points.
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