Former Leeds United standout Archie Gray has joined the growing trend in football where teenagers step into the first-team team and thrive. However, the now Tottenham Hotspur standout credits one teammate with taking him under his wing.
Last season, Gray featured in 52 matches for Leeds, contributing two assists. Despite his young age, he demonstrated great versatility, stepping in as a right-back and covering multiple midfield positions over the course of the campaign.
The Whites sold their rising star to Tottenham during the summer transfer window for a reported £30 million. Spurs have landed a standout player who has only begun tapping into his potential.
Stuart Dallas’ role in Archie Gray’s development
Gray recently spoke with Sky Sports and noted that last season’s breakout performance on his part wouldn’t be possible without former Leeds teammate Stuart Dallas.
The youngster credited the veteran with showing him the ropes and how to handle playing first-team football while also praising those who have helped him reach this level.
“When you’re 12 and 13, you don’t really think about anything tactical,” Gray told Sky Sports. “You just go out there and try and enjoy it. I respect all of them and I’m really grateful for all of them, all three of them. And what they’ve done for me is amazing. And I’m really lucky to have come across them all along my way.
“They’re all amazing guys. And Stuart, especially, coming in as a player, as a senior player. He took me under his wing over the last few years and he really helped me along the way.”
The 18-year-old has made five appearances for Spurs this season as the North London club eases him into the starting 11. Gray’s two starts have come in the EFL Cup and the UEFA Europa League so far for manager Ange Postecoglou.
It will be interesting to see as the campaign goes along if Gray begins to earn starts in the Premier League or whether, for this season, his starts will only come in domestic cups and Europa League for the North London side.
