Archie Gray proved equally adept at both right-back and central midfield for Leeds United

Daniel Farke explains surprising Archie Gray decision in Leeds United win over Bristol City

Dan is a sports journalist who graduated from the University of Gloucestershire with a first-class degree in Sports Journalism. Dan has a huge love for football and has spent time inside newsrooms throughout his time at university. Away from his laptop, he enjoys playing Sunday League football, or watching whatever football, cricket or whatever sport he can find.

Published on:

07 Oct 2023, 2:10 pm

Daniel Farke has been quick to heap praise on Leeds United midfielder Archie Gray after the 17-year-old impressed at right-back in the win over Bristol City.

The Whites were much the better side in front of the Elland Road crowd on Saturday (17 October) and headed into the international break with a 2-1 win, thanks to excellent goals from Dan James and Joel Piroe, either side of a header from Kal Naismith.

But it was 17-year-old Gray who caught most supporters' eye, once again impressing in the Championship but this time in an unfamiliar role at right-back where he gave Robins winger Sam Bell a torrid time throughout the game and Farke was similarly impressed by the academy graduate.

Farke on Gray at RB: "I have to give all the compliments to Archie. One thing is having an idea. It's much more important that the player brings it on the pitch. We wanted to play with a more technical player, like a traditional midfield player with pace tracking the wingers."
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) October 7, 2023

As quoted by Phil Hay on Twitter (7 October) Farke said: "I have to give all the compliments to Archie. One thing is having an idea. It's much more important that the player brings it on the pitch.

"We wanted to play with a more technical player, like a traditional midfield player with pace tracking the wingers."

Technical

In the last few seasons what it means to be a full-back has changed totally, especially at the highest level of the game where the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joao Cancelo are now arguably as important to their sides as any midfielders or wingers.

Gray not only impressed on the ball against Nigel Pearson's side but was exceptional in defence as well winning the most tackles in the contest with four, the most duels in the game with 12 and he wasn't dribbled past a single time [Fotmob].

Whether or not Farke will be particularly keen to play the 17-year-old at full-back remains to be seen, but if Saturday was his audition you'd have to say he passed with flying colours and the former Norwich boss has no reason to doubt the young man.

Leeds United do have plenty of options at full-back when everybody is fit at Elland Road, but until Djed Spence is back and Junior Firpo returns to action on the opposite side, Farke may well need to call upon Gray once again, had you not known he was a midfielder you wouldn't have known he was out of position on Saturday.

It's another string to an incredibly talented young player's bow.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites were never certain Tyler Adams would pass a medical this summer

Leeds United

Daniel Farke

Archie Gray