Bali Mumba has looked excellent in his first-team appearances for Sunderland this season.
16-year-old Sunderland midfielder Bali Mumba has been a feature in Jack Ross’s plans so far this term and, despite being so young, hasn’t looked out of place in League One.
Mumba surprisingly started in Sunderland’s opening day victory over Charlton Athletic last month and has recently been away with England’s youth side.
But with competition for places in Sunderland’s central midfield some of the best it’s ever been, Mumba may benefit from a short-stint on loan this January.
Mumba clearly has a big future ahead of him on Wearside and the youngster had even been given the captains armband on the last day of the Championship season last term when he came off the bench.
But Sunderland have made some shrewd additions in central midfield this summer, with Dylan McGeouch and Max Power both occupying that position, while Lee Cattermole has been fantastic.
Manager Ross will have a big decision to make in January in regards to the short-term future of Mumba, who is clearly ready for first-team football but unlikely to benefit from continuing in the Sunderland academy.
And a short-stint on loan at a League Two club, like fellow youngster Elliot Embleton has done, could pay big dividends for not only Mumba, but also for Sunderland next season when they hope to be back in the Championship.
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