Harry Gray has had a really eventful campaign at Leeds United. Off the back of last season, the Elland Road faithful had a lot of expectations for the youngster.
Daniel Farke gave him his debut at the end of the last campaign. Gray was part of the squad for pre-season and got some valuable minutes. Leeds began their Premier League return with a win, but soon things were not going great. The club went on a long streak without goals, despite having signed Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor in the final weeks of the window.
So with the club not getting results, and not putting the ball in the back of the net, fans started calling for Harry Gray. The youngster was making matchday squads, but was still playing for the U21s and the U18s side. Eventually things died down with Calvert-Lewin picking up form in the middle of the season. So when January came around, the young striker chose to leave on loan.
Harry Gray could be handed future with recent FIFA announcement
It was later revealed that Gray opted to leave on a temporary deal. He wanted first team football, and with the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, he could not fit into the team. So the teenager has been out on loan with Rotherham United in League One.
Gray has played 19 league games this season, scoring three goals. As things stand he is expected to return to Elland Road, but his plans in the first team are not known. And according to this latest announcement by FIFA, Harry Gray could play a big role under Daniel Farke next season. Per The Athletic, FIFA have a proposal for player development that would see every club field an U21 homegrown player on the pitch during games. The plan will be vetted by stakeholders across football before a formal proposal is put forward to FIFA’s council next year.
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Plan will complicate things for many clubs
Things have not been confirmed as the plan will need to be given the green light by FIFA, but it will complicate things across world football. Elite competitions do not have every team with an U21 talent good enough to be an immediate starter in the team. And even with teams that have outstanding talents, it could disrupt a lot. Leeds value Harry Gray as a top player, but they currently have Joel Piroe, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha in one team. It would be crazy for Gray to play every 90 minute ahead of the current options. FIFA would have to review this plan, as many clubs would be against it.
