Leeds United: Sky Sports pundit raves over ‘Extraordinary’ Archie Gray
Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe has praised the emergence of Leeds United sensation Archie Gray this season at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke has given the 17-year-old midfielder his breakthrough in the first-team at the club, initially in midfield but more recently as a regular starter at right-back.
And speaking live on Sky Sports (23 February, 19:31), Hinchliffe singled out the teenager for praise for his “extraordinary” performances and also gave credit to the manager for not being afraid to use him in a problem position.
“I think for a 17-year-old to be holding down a regular place, a deserved regular place, in a promotion-chasing team is extraordinary,” he said.
“He did help out Daniel Farke because right-back was a bit of a problem position. He tried a few options in there, didn’t really work.
“So to trust a 17-year-old midfielder to step in and play right-back speaks volumes of Archie Gray’s mental strength, physically, he’s done ever so well.
“He’s had a lot of help from teammates around him. I think Joe Rodon in particular has helped him a lot. But the way Daniel Farke and the coaching staff have handled him has been outstanding.
“But it’s all down to him as well. His performances have been consistently outstanding.”
Brilliant Leeds United academy doing its job
Gray has been one of the standout performers for Leeds this season, which says a lot when you consider how good the team has been.
You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t think Crysencio Summerville is the player of the season, while Dan James, Georginio Rutter and Ethan Ampadu will also be competing behind him.
But Gray has really established himself as one of the most important members of Farke’s squad, and at such a young age he can only get better from here.
There’s a reason that teams such as Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle have been linked, but the development he has had in the last 12 months shows that Elland Road is the right place for him right now.
That big move will be an option for him for many years, and if Leeds don’t kick on then nobody would begrudge him it. But for now he’s one of their own and he’s earned it.
In other Leeds news, Whites want to sign attacking sensation from British club.
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