Journalist shares Archie Gray verdict at Leeds United as Crystal Palace transfer news emerge
Crystal Palace interest in Leeds United sensation Archie Gray is of “no surprise” but the teenager needs to be careful over his future decision at Elland Road, according to Dean Jones.
The former Eurosport journalist, speaking to GiveMeSport (29 September) that patience will be needed from both parties as he won’t be starting every week, but Gray could benefit from being a “big part” of Daniel Farke’s “positive” project rather than a “small part” at a Premier League club.
Newspaper journalist Alan Nixon, taking to his Patreon page on 25 September reported that, Premier League outfit Crystal Palace plan to be at the front of the queue if Leeds are forced to cash in on their prized academy asset.
Jones has suggested that despite interest from Palace, Gray should look to stay at the Yorkshire club for the time being.
He said: “Yeah, I mean, he is exactly on profile with the sort of recruitment Palace are putting in place at the moment. And it’s no surprise that they are continuing to scout him.
“But he is very young, he needs to be careful he doesn’t make a move that does not end up benefiting his career right now.
“Patience is probably needed for him at Leeds as he won’t be starting every week.
“But with the way things are going, being in a positive environment and in a team that looks like doing very well in the Championship, he could benefit from becoming a big part of this rather than a small part of a project somewhere else.”
Critical decision
The lure of Premier League football will be incredibly strong and tempting for any Championship player and Gray, even those he’s 17 certainly won’t be immune from that.
But Jones is absolutely right, Gray certainly needs to be careful over his forthcoming decision even if the Whites don’t secure promotion back to the English top flight come next season.
While his game-time may well be decreasing after a strong start to the Championship campaign already, he still remains a huge part of Farke’s plans at Elland Road and the positive environment being fostered at Leeds United is very much needed for his development.
Why throw that away to potentially become a first-team afterthought at another Premier League club?
Given the demands of the division, Gray may not taste regular football for a long while, he will be better served playing a key and carefully planned out role at his boyhood club for another couple years or so before potentially moving on.
Right now, Leeds United must place a “hands-off” approach on their academy sensation.
In other Leeds news, an ex-Whites star shows love to Leeds fans after what he did in a European league game.