Losing Baleba and Champions League ambition

[BBC] In the final part of Thursday's special Brighton Q&A, BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor looks at Carlos Baleba's exit possibly helping team spirit and whether the Seagulls can qualify for the Champions League. Colin asked : Has the departure of Baleba helped team spirit and what can the club do to start retaining our stars so that we can take the next step to trophy success? Johnny: The midfield has coped really well without Baleba. He did always strike me as a player who needed to mature and he also seemed to hang around with only a few team-mates. However, everyone is different and everyone has a different character. If he progresses at Manchester United it may be seen as a loss, but in terms of team spirit, I don't think he had a detrimental effect. Put simply, money wins and who would begrudge someone the chance to earn more? But what Brighton can do is compete. Players like Jan Paul van Hecke may understandably be tempted by higher earnings or a 'bigger' project, but if Brighton can offer a team that competes for trophies, if not leagues, then that will help. The grass isn't always greener on the other side - as countless departing Seagulls players have found in the past. [Getty Images] Paul asked : Do Brighton have the squad to challenge for a Champions League position? Johnny : In a word, yes. The squad is very good and very deep. However, when competing on four fronts there will inevitably be a toll. The data suggests that mid-range Premier League teams finish on average four to six places lower than the previous season when competing in Europe. Apply that and, despite a better squad, a Champions League spot could well be a step too far this season. The impression I get is the push for a trophy in a domestic or European competition is one of the major aims this season. A high Premier League finish is desirable, but so much would have to fall into place. Never say never in football, but winning Premier League games has never been tougher, as the promoted sides have shown already with both their victories and their defeats so far this season.