Shoutout to Archie Gray | OneFootball

There was optimism around the fanbase when Tottenham Hotspur announced the signing of Archie Gray from Leeds United in the summer. Despite being 17 for much of the 23/24 season, he had played a key part in Leeds’ season, and started the play-off final against Southampton in May. The acquisition made Gray the fourth most expensive 18-year old of all time.

Shoutout to Archie Gray amidst the tough hand given to him

What most fans assumed is that the teenager would play a fair chunk of games in midfield, whilst filling in at full-back if and when required. We are two days away from Christmas, and he has yet to start again in midfield.

He has come on in midfield a couple of times, whilst starting at right-back, left-back, and now as a central defender. All in a hugely makeshift backline + keeper, as well as even a makeshift midfield in front of him at times.

So, it is not just playing in defence that isn’t optimal. He is playing next to Radu Dragusin, who is clearly out of his depth. The only fit natural centre half. On the right side you have an absolutely shattered Pedro Porro, who is consistently out of position at the moment.

If the 18-year old played in a back four with Djed Spence (or a fresh Pedro Porro), one of Cristian Romero or Micky van de Ven, and Destiny Udogie next month – you would be able to see top performances, even at centre-half. There is being dropped into the deep end, and there is what Gray has had to endure this season.

Even in the Liverpool game, whilst not perfect – it’s pretty impossible to be when you concede six – there were still some good moments. For the second Mohamed Salah goal, he was unbelievably lucky. He did incredibly well to cut out a Cody Gakpo cross, that fell to Dominik Szoboszlai, whose shot was blocked by Gray, before falling to Salah. Poor guy.

Albeit poor opposition, he showed several good moments against Southampton, and made a brilliant intervention late on to keep the clean sheet in tact. He had another fairly good performance against Manchester United, with the goals not a lot to do with him.

Something Ange should consider is playing the England U21 international on the right, with Dragusin on the left. The Romanian defender is awful on the ball regardless, and playing Gray on the left side limits his angles somewhat. If they swapped, he would be able to carry it out of defence with greater ease.

Ideally, he will eventually be moved to central midfield, though this experience will help him in the future. You win or you learn in football. Would really love to see Gray and Pape Sarr patrolling the midfield together at some point.