Ill-disciplined would maybe be a good way to describe Daniel Farke’s Leeds United during their last couple of Championship outings.
Farke was so disappointed after that 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers on New Years’ Day, accusing Leeds – in particular the usually-faultless Ao Tanaka – of being too passive with the ball and, in the build up to the visitor’s stoppage time equaliser, switching off without it.
Lightning would strike twice for Leeds United only a few days later.
Hull City scored in both the 81st and the 89th minute as a 3-1 lead was squandered on Humberside. And while much of the blame has been stacked onto Illan Meslier’s shoulders, questions again will arise about Leeds’ ability to see out a game they really should have killed off far earlier in proceedings.
On the subject of one of Leeds United’s reported transfer targets, however, the description ‘ill-disciplined’ comes to mind for a very different reason.
According to Soccer Laduma, Leeds United are keen on South African full-back Khuliso Mudau. At the age of 29, and with his contract expiring this summer, Mudau may be seen as an experienced, cut-price addition capable of adding depth both on the right-hand side and in defensive midfield.
Yet, if Leeds were running the rule over Mudau as his Mamelodi Sundowns side took on Moroccan outfit Raja Casablanca in the CAF Champions League recently, they will not have been impressed by a remarkable loss of composure from a footballer who really should know better.
Leeds United linked Khuliso Mudau sent off in ‘unacceptable’ circumstances
Mudau picked up a straight red card after appearing to throw a fist in the face of his opposition. A decision which, as the replays show, he really could have had no complaints about.
“I was very disappointed with Mudau’s actions,” Mlungisi Ngubane, who coached the defender at Black Leapords earlier in his career, told SNL 24 Kick Off. “What he did was unacceptable.
“You are playing in an important Champions League match, and you decide to punch someone off the ball? Sundowns need to take action regarding this boy’s behaviour.”
According to Ngubane, this is not the first time Mudau has let his emotions get the better of him. But, with his 30th birthday approaching, his former boss had hoped that the reported Leeds target had grown out of such childishness.
“I thought he had changed after joining Sundowns,” Ngubane sighs. “But it’s clear that he hasn’t. When I was coaching him at Black Leopoards, he also displayed this kind of behaviour. He lacks professionalism. What he did [against Raja Casablanca] was very silly.
“I was very disappointed to see this from him. I did not expect such actions from an international player.”
Mudau has the talent to shine at Leeds but does he have the temperament?
Former Crystal Palace and Fulham midfielder Kagisho Dikcagoi, a former South Africa stalwart in his own playing days, is convinced that Mudau has the talent to succeed in English football.
But whether he has the temperament is a question Leeds, if they are serious about adding another full-back to their ranks, must consider.
“Guys like Mudau are doing well. There’s no doubt they can play [in England],” Dikgacoi argues. “Khuliso would certainly do well. He can excel.
“He produces those qualities defensively and offensively that teams are looking for. Offensively, he will give you something. Defensively, one-on-ones, he is good. He is a complete player in my opinion.”
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