Plymouth Argyle right back, Bali Mumba is set to sign for Huddersfield Town in the coming hours. So, who is he and how will he help the side chasing for promotion?
Bali Mumba is a 24 year old defender who has played his career so far as a right-back, and wing-back.
He is currently signed to Plymouth Argyle until 2027, but is set to sign for The Terriers after a medical today.
Mumba is best understood as a modern, high mobility wide defender. He is someone who can defend 1-on-1, carry the ball up the pitch, and provide constant width.
Mumba is a huge threat to the opposition defence when he’s on the ball. This is where he majorly stands out.
He breaks lines by forcing his way into space, which is gold for teams such as Huddersfield who struggle to progress smoothly from the back.
Even in a season where he’s not posting huge goal numbers, his amount of shots this season indicate he gets into attacking zones.
Bali has 28 shots this season, and 3 assists.
Off the ball, he profiles as a defender who can handle transitions, easily getting back quick enough after attacks.
This is no issue for the defender, as he currently sits on 108 Recoveries, and winning 113 duels.
Huddersfield’s recurring issues across recent seasons has often been with creating enough width and progression, without leaving themselves too open. A player such as Mumba will move the needle in 3 ways:
Mumba would provide Huddersfield with a get out of sticky situation option, as he can win it, carry it, and release a winger/8 ahead of him.
This would create so many more opportunities which could lead to goals.
Mumba can play in a very diverse way.
Right back in a back four, Right wing-back in a 3/5, and even hgiher up in the game.
This would give Terriers boss Lee Grant shape shifting options without needing a substitution.
Even when the final ball output is inconsistent, simply having a right sided player who can pin the opposition back changes how teams defend.
Their fullbacks sit deeper, and the wingers track longer distances meaning they tire quickly which leads to goals.
However, there is a risk. The space behind Mumba which could become an issue as if he is encouraged to overlap relentlessly, Huddersfield must cover themselves.
Without covering themselves, opponents will target diagonals into the space behind the right back and force him into sprints facing his own goal.
Finally, if Huddersfield Town want more width, more progression, and more tactical control without overhauling their system, Bali Mumba fits the plan to a tee.
