Whether or not a summer move to Elland Road materialises or not, the Leeds United linked Bali Mumba will have done his standing in West Yorkshire no harm last weekend.
Because, as Daniel Farke’s side moved five points clear of local neighbours Sheffield United in the automatic promotion positions, a player on Leeds United’s radar might just have lit the fuse under the move which brings Premier League football back to Elland Road next season.
Football correspondent Graeme Bailey exclusively told Leeds United News that, on the day in which Darko Gyabi helped Plymouth Argyle stun Liverpool in the FA Cup, Leeds had scouts at Home Park watching Bali Mumba.
And despite a few below-par performances at relegation-threatened Plymouth this term, you can see why Daniel Farke might like the former Sunderland starlet.
Leeds target Bali Mumba shone as Plymouth Argyle beat Sheffield United
Mumba was a youngster at Norwich City during the German’s time at Carrow Road.
Since moving to the South Coast, the North East-born 23-year-old has blossomed into a highly-versatile footballer capable of playing in multiple positions on either flank.
Farke likes flexible operators, of course. Archie Gray excelled for Leeds on Farke’s watch while playing both as a right-back and further forward in midfield.
Mumba, while not in the same league as the now-Tottenham Hotspur ace technically, could yet fulfil a similar role should Leeds opt to step up their interest come the summer, albeit he feels more like a ‘squad player’ than someone capable of strolling straight into Farke’s XI.
Mumba is, by trade, a right-footer who has made the majority of his senior appearances on the right-hand side. But as Plymouth hammered another nail into Chris Wilder’s coffin – three defeats in a row for the blunted Blades – Argyle boss Miram Muslic shifted Mumba across to the left at half-time.
A change which most certainly had the desired result.
Plymouth fans laud Mumba as Chris Wilder’s promotion challenge falls apart
Mumba drove forward and curled a teasing ball into the Sheffield United box with his supposedly ‘weaker’ left boot.
And, as it dropped kindly into the path of Muhamed Tijani, the Plymouth forward fizzed home the finish which could yet save Plymouth’s skin while breaking Sheffield United hearts in the process.
“Mumba just did not stop running all game and was excellent going forward at times,” writes Chris Errington of Plymouth Live, Muslic’s Mr Versatile given an 8/10 rating and named the ‘Star Man’ in the local press.
“Mumba left-back must be the way to play from now on in,” one Plymouth fan argues.” Shows the manager is adapting his philosophy, playing a right-footed player left side, but Mumba second half was excellent and his bursting run and cross led to the winner.”
“Mumba was brilliant,” a supporter agrees. “No messing about and also a very mature performance.”
“Last 30 minutes of the second half with Edwards, Tijani and Mumba on the left – absolutely unbelievable!,” one adds.
“Surely Muslic has now realised Mumba is unbelievably good [at] left wing-back and must start there from now on.”
“No more Mumba slander ever!”
Leeds might decide against making a summer move for Mumba, especially if promotion opens up access to a higher class of target. But still, a special mention should belong to him in the story of Leeds’ season.
Furthermore, with Junior Firpo and Sam Byram both out of contract, there may yet be a place in Farke’s roster for a versatile full-back equally capable on either flank.
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