Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler insisted he had no choice but to substitute Carlos Baleba after the star was booked before being hauled off midway through the first half in a nightmare outing at Aston Villa.
Manchester United target Baleba appeared inconsolable after being hooked 22 minutes into the Seagulls’ 1-0 defeat at Villa Park on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old Cameroonian midfielder had been booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers after just two minutes of the clash at Villa Park and was replaced by James Milner, who equalled Gareth Barry’s all-time Premier League appearance record.
An upset Baleba buried his head in his shirt as he sat on the bench as his disappointing campaign since he was linked with a move to Man United in the summer continued. He has now been brought off five times before the second half so far this season.
But Hurzeler defended his player, insisting referee Peter Bankes was wrong to book Baleba so early in the game – although he was lucky not to be given a second yellow before he was substituted.
‘I’m not happy with the yellow card he gets so absolutely the wrong decision for me to give him… the first foul wasn’t even a bad foul, not a tactical foul, a yellow card,’ said Hurzeler.
Carlos Baleba appeared inconsolable after being taken off midway through the first half
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler insisted he had no choice but to substitute the star after he was booked in the second minute
‘Then of course we had to take care of him so that was the only reason. But it was a big impact from the referee to give that yellow card, therefore we had to make the substitution.’
Baleba has struggled to find the form that saw him emerge as a target for United, who are looking to overhaul their midfield in the next transfer window.
United made an enquiry over Baleba last summer before ending their interest after reportedly being quoted an asking price of up to £120million. There were reports the club had also been considering a move for the player in January.
In September, Hurzeler admitted the interest from United had been affecting Baleba, who is on the club’s shortlist along with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
‘I think it’s normal for a young player when the media creates the noise around him,’ he said. ‘It’s not easy for this player to handle it.
‘Therefore, we need to give him the time and support so he comes back to his best performance.
‘But he’s a young player and I think that’s something we have to accept, that young players don’t always have the face we want to see.’
Baleba’s departure paved the way for Milner to join Barry on 653 Premier League appearances. The former Liverpool, Manchester City and Leeds midfielder is one away from breaking Barry’s record, which has stood since 2018.
Baleba made way for James Milner, who equalled Gareth Barry’s league appearance record
Baleba was booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers and was taken off just 20 minutes later
Milner, 40, made his top flight debut on November 10, 2022, and 8,494 days later he has cemented himself alongside former Barry, doing so at Villa Park where both men once turned out to add a cherry on top.
Milner is well travelled as a player and his Premier League appearances are well spread out at Leeds United (48), Newcastle United (94), Aston Villa (100), Manchester City (147), Liverpool (230) and now at Brighton (34).
He has the chance to usurp Barry and stand alone at No 1 when Brighton travel to face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on February 21.
Milner was on the losing side in his record-equalling appearance as Jack Hinshelwood’s own goal five minutes from time handed Unai Emery’s side a vital victory.
