Jermaine Beckford shares Archie Gray future admission after Leeds United loss v Southampton

Jermaine Beckford shares Archie Gray exit admission after Leeds United 'hurt' v Southampton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

28 May 2024, 4:10 am

Jermaine Beckford believes Archie Gray will stay at Elland Road this summer despite Leeds United missing out on promotion to the Premier League.

The Whites missed out on automatic promotion, sending them into the Championship play-offs, and eventually meeting Southampton in the final at Wembley.

A single Adam Armstrong goal was enough to see the Saints promoted to the Premier League while Leeds have been condemned to another season in the second tier of English football.

Speaking to talkSPORT, transcribed on Monday (27 May), Beckford said: "How am I? As a Leeds fan, I'm hurt guys, genuinely I'm hurt. It was a disappointing conclusion to the season, let alone the play-offs.

"One win in seven, disappointing, in the final games of the season was disappointing."

When asked if Gray could leave Elland Road this summer, he said: "Archie Gray, I don't think so. I don't think so. Leeds runs through his blood. His family have history with Leeds United, he was born a Leeds United fan, and he's come through the ranks.

"This is his breakthrough season. I genuinely think he deserved to be Player of The Season because of the impact he's made, based on being such a young player in his first season, playing out of position as well."

Will Archie Gray be at Leeds United next season?

Gray's future at Elland Road is a heavily debated one and will be speculated about more than ever after Leeds missed out on a chance to bounce back to the Premier League.

The 18-year-old has experienced an incredible breakthrough season, causing multiple clubs to sit up and take notice, though many are certain he will remain with his beloved Whites.

Archie Gray has been a mainstay for Leeds United this season, collecting accolades aplenty.

As a boyhood fan of the club, Gray is more than likely keen to lead them back to the Premier League, rather than jump ship, especially having signed a new contract recently.

While Leeds fans will still be experiencing the heartbreak of losing the play-off final, Gray's future should not be a worry heading into the summer transfer window.

Anything can change, though.

In other Leeds news, one transfer-linked star was spotted at Wembley in new fan footage.

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Leeds United

Jermaine Beckford

Southampton

Archie Gray