One of the main reasons why Archie Gray stood out so much to Daniel Farke last season, alongside the Leeds United starlet’s remarkable maturity and in-possession qualities, was his ability to adapt to a variety of roles.
Gray started out as a central midfielder in 2023/24 and ended the season as a right-back.
Since swapping Leeds United for Tottenham Hotspur to the tune of £30 million, the England youth star has added another string to his bow with a new-look centre-half role.
Now, players capable of filling in across the park will always come in handy. Particularly in a league as demanding as the Championship.
Ethan Ampadu, Willy Gnonto, Joel Piroe and Max Wober have all been utilised in different spots, while Farke lauded Joshua Guilavogui and Isaac Schmidt after Leeds beat Harrogate Town in the FA Cup; the former started at centre-half, the latter at right-back on the night.
And while Bali Mumba would maybe struggle to nail down a starting berth in a fully-fit Elland Road XI – Leeds are keen on the Plymouth Argyle speedster – there is certainly an Archie Gray-esque, Swiss Army Knife sort of feel to Home Park’s man for all occasions and all positions.
Bali Mumba can fill Archie Gray-style role at Leeds United
Name an area of the pitch, and there is a good chance Mumba has played there.
In fact, per data collected by Transfermarkt, the one-time Sunderland Under-16 captain has only not been utilised as a centre-forward, a centre-half or, as you might have guessed, as a goalkeeper in his playing career.
That means, should Leeds get their mitts on Mumba, the Yorkshire giants would land a full-back, a wing-back, a wide attacker and a central midfielder all for the price of one.
Maybe not the master of any particular role, but a jack of all trades footballer capable of adding cover and competition on either flank and through the centre.
“He’s so versatile. He can play wherever,” former Plymouth coach Steven Schumacher said as Argyle secured promotion out of League One in 2022/23, Mumba scoring six goals that season and providing a further seven assists.
“We know he can play wing-back. He did that role last season [and] he was outstanding. I think he can play as an eight in midfield. He has got the quality to go and play in there. He can play in wide areas and he can play as a full-back.
“I know some people will say Bali’s defensive qualities isn’t his strongest point but actually his data was quite good last year.
“His defensive work was good predominantly. He had times where he did switch off and it cost us, but he was a young player and they make mistakes. That’s what happens. It’s my job to try and help him improve in those areas.”
Daniel Farke worked with Plymouth Argyle ace Mumba at Norwich City
Leeds United News understands that Leeds scouted Bali Mumba as Plymouth stunned Brentford in the FA Cup this weekend.
Now 23 years of age, Mumba, who joined for £1m, is a more mature, experienced footballer than he was when honing his talents under Schumacher.
The 2023 League One Young Player of the Season may still have his best years ahead of him and, one of Plymouth’s stand-out performers in a difficult Championship spell, it is tempting to wonder what Mumba could do in a dominant, possession-heavy Leeds side who should make far better use of his swashbuckling talents while minimising any lingering defensive deficiencies.
Farke knows Mumba from their time together at Norwich City
The Leeds boss will be aware, then, not only of Mumba’s on-pitch qualities but also the magnetic personality which lights up the faces of all he comes across. Characters like this are always welcome, not only for the impact they can have on grass but the vibe they can bring to the dressing room in this most tense of sports.
“He has been unbelievable for us,” Schumacher would add. “From the minute he walked through the door everyone fell in love with him. Just the way he is, the way he smiles, the way his attitude is.
“You can’t help but like him and his performances on the pitch have been brilliant. He has scored some big goals for us and come up with some huge assists.”
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
