Archie Gray ‘fear’ shared at Leeds United as Mohamed Salah example raised
Danny Mills has voiced his concerns over Archie Gray playing right-back if Leeds United were to have secured promotion this season.
Despite being a natural midfielder, Daniel Farke needed to plug holes in his starting XI caused by injuries, forcing him to utilise the 18-year-old out of position, though he did thrive in the Championship.
The Premier League is a massive step up, however, and Murphy has revealed that he was concerned about Gray’s prospects up against players of Mohamed Salah and Jeremy Doku’s calibre had Leeds been promoted.
Speaking to Football League World on Sunday (16 June), the Sky Sports pundit said: “He’s not been played in his preferred position; I think his best position is midfield. He’s been farmed out to right-back where he’s performed brilliantly. My fear was if Leeds got into the Premier League, and he plays right-back, he might get a little bit lost.
“The quality that you’re suddenly playing against – Jeremy Doku, Mohamed Salah. It’s another level. This is not the Championship anymore. And my fear would be that Leeds would bring in a right-back with experience and he might not make that midfield berth.
“I actually think for Archie’s development, even if they’d got promoted, it wouldn’t be a bad thing if he went and did a year in the Championship in midfield. He’s very, very young, learning his game in midfield. Now, with all the experience that he has, I think it could be one of the best things that happened to him.”
Where should Archie Gray play for Leeds United?
The teenager would, undoubtedly, prefer to be plying his trade in the middle of the park, rather than having to cover at right-back, but there was really no choice this season.
Even once Sam Byram and Jamie Shackleton had returned from injury, Gray was still trusted to occupy the right-back spot, seeing him make 40 league starts for the Whites.
Murphy is not the only one to share his concerns about Gray’s future at full-back, albeit he impressed there overall, with the youngster also proving himself to be a fantastic midfielder, impressing against Chelsea in the FA Cup.
His performances have seen him linked with many European clubs this summer, but if Leeds are able to retain him, another season in the Championship will do his development the world of good.
Of course, there are many negatives that come with Leeds missing out on promotion to the Premier League, but Gray will be able to use the circumstances to improve, and hopefully, guide his boyhood club back to the top tier of English football.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared his prediction for when Elland Road will be redeveloped after what he has seen at the club.
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