In the summer, the 49ers cleared house as they let go of a lot of first team players. They created a lot of space in the squad.
Players who were no longer needed were given the option of leaving, and big contracts like Max Wober and Jack Harrison left permanently.
This played a huge part in the club’s ability to attract big names, seeing them bring in James Trafford, Harry Wilson and Tarik Muharemovic in the same window.
One transfer exit that went under the radar was Harry Gray leaving on loan. The young striker joined Sheffield Wednesday after spending the second half of last year with Rotherham United.
Leeds chief explains summer exit
Harry Gray
Credit: Imago
There was not much noise on it considering all the major headlines about potential incomings.
Leeds assistant sporting director Andrew Taylor explained the reason Sheffield Wednesday was chosen as the youngster’s next destination.
He said that the club’s level and fanbase was the perfect place for Gray to develop, given that Sheffield Wednesday were a club that had expectations.
“Sheffield Wednesday are going to be strong.” he told the club website.
“Secondly, there’s a huge expectation on the club, a huge following, huge pressure because they’re a massive club, and if we’re trying to prepare him to come back and play for Leeds United in the Premier League, where there’s huge expectation, huge following, huge pressure, it’s really difficult to replicate that.
“Going somewhere like a Sheffield Wednesday under the scrutiny, under the big club mentality – everybody who plays against Sheffield Wednesday, it’s their big game, so you’ve got to come up with solutions to win games, to be creative.”
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Is the loan deal working out?
The young striker has played 11 games in all competitions so far and has scored one goal.
Many would expect him to have made an impact, but League One is a very high level of football for his age and minutes are crucial at this stage.
Gray has been used in many different ways since arriving, which will all add to his learning experiences at the top level.
The aim is to continue to get him ready to be a Leeds United first team star in the near future.
