Sussex

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Former Brighton striker Warran Aspinall says Carlos Baleba has shown "glimpses of his potential" so far this season, adding that the defensive midfielder is "on a par" with former Seagulls player Moises Caicedo.

Speaking on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Aspinall said: "He is getting better and better. When he gets the ball on the half-turn, he uses his body and strength to get that quick five yards and get his head up. Then he can break the lines and take two or three midfield players out of the game straight away.

"Sometimes he takes too many touches with his head down and he gets all flustered. If he can get his head up and look around - because he's gained that space with his power in the first five yards - he can then play a simple pass.

"To become a top player now, he needs to be consistent. It's not about having three good games, three bad games.

"He needs to have games like he did against Manchester City, against a top-class midfield. We have seen glimpses of his potential.

"He gets frustrated with himself at times in games, but he doesn't need to do that. The world is his oyster.

"Moises Caicedo went for over £100m and Baleba is on a par with him. He is probably the next player that will be on the conveyor belt to go for bigger money. We need to keep these players if we can - they have all got a price tag on their heads.

"Carlos Baleba just needs to keep his feet on the ground [for now] and keep listening to Daddy [Danny] Welbeck."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

On the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, The New York Times' chief soccer correspondent Rory Smith speaks about whether a "still really young" Brighton side can upset the traditional top six in the Premier League.

After seeing off Manchester City last Saturday, does Smith believe Albion will make it into the top four or maybe even contend for the title.

"If Leicester can do it, then why can't Brighton? But the stars have to align there," said Smith.

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

The latest Albion Unlimited podcast has landed.

BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor is joined by former Brighton striker Warren Aspinall to discuss the 2-1 win over Manchester City and the tight battle for European football this season.

Also, hear from Danny Welbeck on stepping in as captain, the return of team-mates Matt O'Riley and Joao Pedro and midfielder Carlos Baleba's potential.

Plus, former Brighton striker Bobby Zamora joins the podcast to talk about his new striker consultancy role at the club.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Technical director David Weir and his assistant Mike Cave have led an overhaul of Brighton's recruitment department, involving the exit of several scouts, despite the club's successful record over recent seasons. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Henry Brownsey
BBC Sport journalist

There were plenty of memorable numbers across the weekend's Premier League football...

1 - How many games it took Brighton's Matt O'Riley to open his account in the top flight.

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250 - How many appearances Bruno Fernandes has now made for Manchester United, registering a combined 155 goals and assists in this time.

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4 - Consecutive defeats for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side, and the first time he has had such a losing run in his managerial career.

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28 - Points Liverpool boss Arne Slot has earned in the Premier League in his first 11 games in charge - the joint-most of any new manager.

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80 - Seconds between Bournemouth going 2-1 up and Mikkel Damsgaard equalising for Brentford.

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1:48 - How long into the game Pablo Sarabia put Wolves ahead against Southampton - becoming the club's earliest Premier League goalscorer.

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22 years, six months, two weeks and three days - The amount of time Ipswich Town had gone without a Premier League victory before Sunday's win at Tottenham.

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Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

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Manchester City are one of the richest football clubs in the world and should be able to afford a deep squad with game-changing options on the bench.

Yet, at the Amex on Saturday, it was Brighton who had their substitutes to thank for securing them three points against the serial Premier League champions.

Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley both scored from the bench. Carlos Baleba played an equally important role after coming on at half-time, helping the Albion get on top by winning the midfield battle.

Brighton will have a fight on their hands keeping hold of Baleba beyond next summer if he carries on performing as he has so far this season.

The wealth of options available to Fabian Hurzeler comes from the near-£200m spending spree Tony Bloom went on in the summer. The Albion now have a squad capable of coping with injuries to four, five or six first-choice players.

But solid recruitment is only one part of the story. Hurzeler deserves an equal amount of credit for the way he is managing his players - and, in particular, his use of the bench.

The City win was not the first time Hurzeler's substitutions have helped deliver three points, either. Home victories over Manchester United and Tottenham also came thanks to major contributions from the bench.

Not many managers outwit Pep Guardiola and surely nobody else has done it aged 31. The Seagulls are soaring and the sky looks the limit for Hurzeler.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

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The New York Times' chief soccer correspondent Rory Smith, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club about Brighton's fine start to the season under Fabian Hurzeler:

"The appointment itself was incredibly brave. If you look back, to say that Brighton, a top-10 Premier League club, were going to appoint a 31-year-old manager... it's not that long ago that English football wouldn't really have been ready for that idea, and he would have been chased out in about three weeks.

"He needed a good start. It would have been difficult for him if Brighton had got off to a rocky start and there would have been questions around the club about whether he was too inexperienced.

"He wasn't like [Roberto] De Zerbi, who had managed in the Champions League when he came to Brighton. He had Serie A experience. Hurzeler hadn't and was unusually young.

"But the way he's taken to it has been remarkable, and he has had a lot of support from Brighton. I think they and Manchester United spent more than any other team in Europe, which is a big commitment for Brighton. Most of it was spent on young talent from unusual places.

"Brighton have a courage in the way that they work, but also they have a certainty. I think we underestimate how remarkable it is that Brighton are up there again because we've got so used to seeing Brighton in the top 10. It should still be impressive to see Brighton in the top 10 of the Premier League."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds