Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Thu 2 April 2026 16:10, UK

Harry Gray may be fearful about his prospects of featuring for Leeds United next season, as the Whites are one of the worst for giving youth a chance.

Gray is out on loan at Rotherham as he hoped to impress Daniel Farke back at Elland Road ahead of next season. He did recently return to nurse an injury and is expected to go back to the Millers until the season’s end.

The 17-year-old starlet has made just one appearance for the first team, with a four-minute cameo against Stoke City last season in the Championship.

At Leeds, Gray is clearly highly rated enough to make his debut at just 16 years old.

But nonetheless, throughout Leeds’ matches this season, there has been a worrying trend for the prospects coming through Thorp Arch.

Why Harry Gray will have Leeds concern after his loan spell ends

Although Leeds are in a relegation battle and utilising experienced players makes a lot of sense, you would still expect a club with the history of the Whites would attempt to usher through the next generation.

However, that has been far from the case this season based on Farke’s squad selections.

According to BBC Sport, the Peacocks are 17th for minutes provided to academy players this Premier League season, with just eight minutes.

Additionally, they are joint-bottom alongside Bournemouth, Everton and Fulham for academy players in the first-team squad – all four sides have just one player.

That reveal showcases that Farke is reluctant to trust youth in the top flight, and upon his return from loan, Gray could question whether the Elland Road outfit is the right environment for his development.

As it stands, there is no clear pathway to making his way into the German’s plans, and for the rest at Thorp Arch, that will also be a concern.

Especially with Gray having options elsewhere away from Leeds.

Which Leeds academy graduate took up the eight minutes played this season?

Leeds’ figures among the academy minutes are made even worse when you look into who the one academy graduate is within the squad.

The player in question is 32-year-old Sam Byram.

Due to Byram coming through the Leeds academy back in 2012 and then rejoining the Whites in 2023, his eight minutes in the Premier League account for the Elland Road outfit’s total.

So in truth, the LS11 side has handed practically zero minutes and has included zero academy players in their squad this season.

It is not exactly an optimistic outlook for the youth at Leeds, who may question whether they will get a chance in Yorkshire.