Brighton Hove Albion of England stopper, Leon Aderemi Balogun will have to work harder in order to get a starting spot with the team, as The Seagulls’ manager, Chris Hughton says two reliable central defenders are currently ahead of the Super Eagles star, footballlive.ng reports.
Although Hughton acknowledged that Balogun is battling hard for a spot in Brighton’s starting line-up, he hinted that another defender is set to join the squad in January.
That would mean extra work from Balogun to find his place among the regulars, following his summer arrival from SV Mainz 05 of Germany, where he was always getting into the first eleven, except when hit by one of many injuries that have bedeviled his career.
Indeed, Balogun went straight into Brighton’s starting squad soon after his arrival, with sterling performances in pre-season, until he copped another kock that helped his rivals take over.
It may now be a case of double effort from the Eagles’ regular in the heart of Nigeria’s defence line, where he forms a reliable ‘Oyibo Wall’ combo with Udinese of Italy stopper, William Troost-Ekong.
Since joining The Seagulls as a free agent in the summer transfer window, the 30-year-old Germany-born stopper has made only two appearances from a possible ten in all competitions.
After starting against Liverpool and playing as a sub against Manchester United, Balogun is now behind Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk in Brighton’s order of central defenders.
Balogun has been an unused substitute in the last six English Premier League matches, yet Hughton has hinted that there will be more work for him and added competition when Dan Burn joins from Wigan Athletic.
Hughton stated: ”We have two centre halves playing well and Leon Balogun pushing them all the way and playing for his country. Dan Burn will join in January too. That’s always been the plan with Dan.”
