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According to a report in The Chronicle, Sunderland manager Jack Ross has identified 16-year-old Bali Mumba as one of the players that has impressed him the most since he took charge of the Black Cats, suggesting he may soon be ready to follow in the footsteps of Josh Maja by becoming a first-team regular.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the Black Cats boss was speaking prior to his side’s trip to face Coventry City on Saturday, and as well as identifying left-back Denver Hume as a player that had caught his eye, he also name-dropped Mumba.
Ross said, via The Chronicle: “Denver has probably been the biggest surprise. He’s the one that’s really emerged from pre-season, along with Bali (Mumba).”
The talented teenager started the club’s opening two League One fixtures before coming on as a substitute in the third, but he hasn’t been seen on the pitch since and has failed to make the 18-man squad at all following the win against AFC Wimbledon last month.
The 16-year-old defensive midfielder is clearly still in Ross’ thoughts though, and the latest quotes should give him confidence that he should soon be back in and around the first team.
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What does this mean for Mumba?
Ross has shown already with the faith that he has placed in Maja and Hume that he isn’t afraid to start young players if he feels they are good enough, and the England U18 international clearly comes into that category having already started twice this term.
The challenge for Mumba now is to work his way into the starting XI on a regular basis, and these new comments suggest that he may soon follow Maja in becoming a key first-team player in Sunderland’s bid to make an instant return to the Championship.
The 16-year-old needs to take the next opportunity that comes his way however, to repay the faith his manager has already – and clearly will in the future – put in him.
